Edward Bernasek

1926 - 2012

Edward
Bernasek
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.– Edward Bernasek passed away on June 12, 2012 after a short illness.
He was born on July 20, 1926 in Lorain, Ohio to Edward F. Bernasek and Leona Hinderer Bernasek, and he has been a resident of Winston-Salem, N.C. since 1957. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Naval Air Corps for two years. After his Naval service, he attended and graduated from Ohio University. He was awarded the Enka Fellowship to study Organic Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a PhD in 1954. Following his education, Dr. Bernasek began his career with Celanese Corporation in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1957, he and his family moved to Winston-Salem to begin his career at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.. In 1992, he retired from R. J. Reynolds Research and Development Department as Principal Scientist. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and Sigma Xi Scientific Society. Dr. Bernasek was a member of Augsburg Lutheran Church where he enjoyed serving in various capacities in his earlier years. In his retirement, he volunteered at Crisis Control Ministries and served on the US Tennis Association board in Winston-Salem. He was an avid tennis player and a life-long scholar of world history, which he shared passionately with his children and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dr. Elaine Bernasek Andrews, and his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and William Ricketts. Surviving are his loving wife of 65 years, Edna Carol Bernasek, one son, Paul Fischer Bernasek and wife Dare of Lexington, NC, and two daughters, Linda Bernasek Lyman and husband Don of Boca Raton, FL., and Ann Bernasek Cordell and husband Mark of Lewisville, NC.. Also surviving are his three beloved grandchildren, Kristin A. Lyman of New Orleans, LA, John A. Lyman of Boca Raton, FL., Mark B. Cordell Jr. of Lewisville, NC, his brother-in-law, Dr. Victor Andrews of Savannah, GA, a neice, Dr. Mary Ricketts and a nephew, Michael Ricketts both of Windsor, Ontario Canada.
A memorial service for Dr. Bernasek will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Augsburg Lutheran Church, 845 West 5th St. conducted by the Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Rinn. Following the memorial service, the family will greet friends in the Gathering Room of the Church. A private family inurnment in the Augsburg Columbarium Garden will precede the Memorial Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Augsburg Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, 845 W. 5th St., Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.