Bernard Bressler

Dr. Bernard Bressler, 88 years young, passed away on the 26th day of November 2005.
Bernard is survived by his loving wife, Dr. Joy Bressler and son, Bernly Bressler of Richmond, VA; his daughter, Barbara Marques and her children, Titus and Gratia of Richmond; his son, Dr. Robert Bressler, wife, Jill, and their children, Elizabeth, Robert, and Celia of Hopkinsville, KY; his son, Dr. Garrett Bressler, wife, Barbara, and children Robert and Schell of Durham, NC; his son, Dr. Peter Bressler, wife Kathy, and children, Bart and Gary of Durham, NC; and his son, Richard Bressler of St. Louis, MO. Bernard is also survived by his brothers, Leo and Harold Bressler of St. Louis Missouri.
Born in Milan, MI, the Bresslers moved to St. Louis Missouri where Bernard attended Frank Louis Soldan High School, where he graduated early. His classmates described him "as a wit, if not first, in the very first line." He then went on to Washington University in St. Louis to earn a B.A. He continued his studies at Washington University, earning his medical degree in 1942. He completed aone year internship at St. Louis City Hospital. He then served as a resident at a number of places including: St. Louis City Sanitarium, Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago ('43-'45), and the Veterans Rehabilitation Center, Chicago, IL inclusive. Dr. Bressler served a short tour of duty in the United States Army after his residency. With a medical degree under his white coat and specialized Army medical experience, Dr. Bressler moved forward and became a candidate in training at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute in 1951. He was certified in psychoanalysis in 1953. Dr. Bressler was called to a second term of duty by the United States Army in 1953. He served as a doctor with the rank of Captain at Fort Belvoir, VA. He was honorably discharged in 1955.
Dr. Bressler then moved to Durham, NC where he became a Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center. As a founding member and associate director of the Psychoanalytic Training Program, he trained and supervised physicians from Duke as well as the University of Chapel Hill to become psychoanalysts. After 25 years of dedicated service to Duke University, Dr. Bressler retired from teaching and moved to Richmond, VA with his wife, Joy to start a private practice in Psychiatry. He retired from private practice in 2003. Dr. Bressler was a world renowned Freudian psychoanalyst. Notable memberships included: the American Psychoanalytic Association, the Chicago Psychoanalytic Society, the Washington Psychoanalytic Society, theAmerican Psychosomatic Society, the Association for Advancement of Science (Fellow), the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association (Fellow), the Pan American Medical Association (Diplomate),and the American College of Psychiatrists. Dr. Bressler was one of the founding members of the distinguished Iron Dukes at Duke University.
Being a well traveled and educated man, Dr. Bressler's list of accomplishments is a long one. He was published over 30 times in journals such as The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, The Psychoanalytic Review, Samiksa, The American Journal of Nursing, The Psychoanalytic Quarterly, the British Journal of Medical Psychology, Consultant, The Journal of Asthma Research, Family Weekly, Southern Medicine, the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and the American Journal of Psychiatry. Aside from various publications, Dr. Bressler presented his research to large audiences at meetings all over the United States and the World including: Asheville and Durham, NC, Chicago, IL, Miami, FL, Philadelphia, PA, Atlanta, GA, New York City, NY, San Antonio, TX (Televised), and the 4th World Congress of Psychiatry in Madrid Spain. He was also featured in "Who's Who" in America several times.
Dr. B's life was dedicated to helping those in need. He truly discovered the person behind "the case." No case was considered to be too difficult. Dr. B was always willing to work with anyone that sought his help. He applied this same dedication and passion to his family; and as a father and mentor, he taught us all innumerable lessons through his own unique style.
To give and to provide to those in need was his Hallmark.
The family asks that donations be made in Dr. Bressler's memory to Holy Comforter Church or Bon Secours Hospice.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 4819 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA.
Family will receive friends at a reception following the service in the Parrish hall. Internment shall follow the reception at Hollywood Cemetery.