Bernard (Bernie) William Eissenstat

Bernard ("Bernie") William Eissenstat (age 96) passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024, in Alexandria, Virginia surrounded by his family. Bernie was born on December 9, 1927, in Rochester, New York. (although he could also claim, and often did, December 10 as his birthdate due to some erroneous records). The son of Harry and Nellie Eissenstat, Bernie grew up in Rochester along with his older brother Paul Eissenstat and two sisters Lillian Pies and Sylvia Vicker. He loved everything about Rochester, particularly eating hot dogs and custard on the shores of Lake Ontario and hated the snow. His many accomplishments are noted below-however, his most cherished legacy is raising his four boys, Eric, Edmund, Everett and Ebert, as a single dad. He dearly loved his sons. Bernie served in the U.S. Army infantry from 1946 until his honorable discharge in 1948. He earned a B.S. (with Honors) in History from the University of Rochester in 1957, an M.A. in History from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in History and Political Science in 1967. He loved reading, history, and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Western Civilization and Political Science at the University of Kansas, Northern Arizona University, and Oklahoma State University until his retirement as a Professor Emeritus in 1986. His area of expertise was Slavic and Soviet studies. He published numerous articles and books including a three-volume book on Western Civilization (1962), Lenin and Leninism: State, Law and Society (1971) and The Soviet Union: The Seventies and Beyond (1975). He was a member of Phi Alpha Theta American Honor Society and the National Political Science Honor Society Pi Sigma Alpha. Bernie is survived by his long-time friend and companion Pat Davis of Alamo, Texas, by three of his sons, Eric Spencer Eissenstat of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Sandy), Edmund Darwin Leif Eissenstat of Superior Colorado, (Margo), Everett Harry Eissenstat, of Alexandria, Virginia (Janet), his six grandchildren, Chris, Katie, Magen, Jacob, Marina, and Alex in addition to extended family across the United States and the world. He was predeceased by his son Ebert Stanley Rubin Eissenstat, his parents and his siblings. Bernie was an outstanding teacher and father, He loved playing tennis, racquetball, and swimming with his children along with frequent trips to Baskin-Robbins and birthday celebrations at Putt-Putt miniature golf. Following retirement, Bernie moved to the Rio Grande Valley, where he became an avid swing dancer and pickle ball aficionado. Bernie was a generous and wonderful man, with a cutting sense of humor and talent for storytelling. His love for his children and family was deep and never-ending. His warmth, generous spirit, and compassion will be deeply missed. Donations may be made in his honor to the National Down Syndrome Society at www.ndss.org. He will be placed to rest in Fairlawn Cemetery in Stillwater, Oklahoma at a date to be announced.