Bernard Mandelik

On July 15, 2004, DR. BERNARD MANDELIK passed away in Treemont Nursing Home. He was born December 5, 1910 at Ratbor, Czechoslovakia, to Olga and Ota Mandelik. He received a Doctorate in Chemistry in 1938 and helped run the family's sugar factory. Shortly before the Germans invaded, he fled to France and later his army unit was evacuated to Great Britain where he researched chemicals for incendiary bombs at the Imperial College of London. In 1943, he married Muriel Benyon of Chester, England. After the war, the couple lived in Prague until 1948, when the communists at his firm betrayed him as a capitalist to the police, and Dr. Mandelik was warned to leave the country. From 1945 until 1955, Dr. Mandelik worked in London as a research chemist. In 1955, he was transferred to the New York City office and lived in Pleasantville, New York and Princeton, New Jersey. In 1972, he was transferred by M. W. Kellogg Company to Houston where he worked until his retirement. After the death of his beloved wife, he served as a volunteer worker at church, where he met Mary Cowart, whom he married in 1988. He remained active, translating Czech chemical journals into English, playing tennis and bridge. He enjoyed gardening. Dr. Mandelik leaves behind his beloved spouse Mary, son Peter, a sister, Hana Benes Wilson, and her two daughters. He will be greatly missed by his pet squirrel and all who knew him. The family will receive visitors July 18 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at Earthman Hunter's Creek Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be celebrated July 19, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Cyril of Alexandria Church.