He is survived by daughter Christy(Jason) Fisher of Greenville, son David (Barbara) Dent of Rockford, Ill., son-in-law Duane Hobbs of Greenville; five grandchildren, Scott(Michelle) Hobbs and Stacy Hobbs of Greenville, Eli Fisher of Portland, Ore., Rachel(Logan)Hamilton of Cambridge, Ill and Ryan Dent, Nashville, Tenn. and three great grandchildren, Lillian, Madeline and Lincoln Hobbs all of Greenville.
Bernie graduated 7th in the Anderson High 1940 graduating class of 391. He was the 35th employee of Sheller Manufacturing Hardy Division in Union City, Ind., in October, 1940, starting as a draftsman. He joined the Army Air Force and went to the South Pacific in October, 1944. He was a Staff Sargent in the 13th Air Force Headquarters Photo Intelligence group in Leyte, P.I. where his group compiled the first 220 aerial photographs of Hiroshima taken after the atomic bomb drop. He was honorably discharged in February, 1946, as a Staff Sergeant with five Battle Stars in the South Pacific Campaign. He continued his love of flying and was an Instrument rated Private Pilot into the 1970's.
Bernie and Jane moved to Greenville in 1953 and joined the First United Methodist Church. He taught the Senior High Sunday School class, helped with youth groups and remained active in the church for his entire life. He was a Scout Cubmaster for five years and he organized and refereed church league basketball for numerous years.
Bernie started the Greenville Tennis Club in 1954 and taught many young people to play his favorite sport. He served as volunteer President of the Greenville City Recreation Commission for 20 years, overseeing the growth of the existing programs and facilities, including the North Park. He was a strong supporter of the school system, active in levy campaigns, and volunteered teaching GHS Drafting classes. He received the VFW Citizenship Award and Kiwanis Citizen of the Year award, and was a member of Greenville Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Antioch Shrine, Eastern Star, VFW, and American Legion.
He retired in 1993 as Director of Manufacturing Engineering with United Technologies in Detroit (successors to Hardy Division and Sheller Globe Corp) with 53 years of service. He received the Society of Die Casting Engineers Outstanding Achievement Award at Detroit Cobo Hall in March, 1975, for his research and development work in the die casting field, including a die casting patent in 1972 and served on the International Lead Zinc Research Organization for 20 years. He enjoyed sharing his die casting knowledge at the Greenville Kitchen Aid plant in the 1990's.
A Masonic Service will be conducted on Saturday June 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church 202 West Fourth Street, Greenville, Ohio to be followed immediately by a life celebration and a church luncheon. Arrangements are being handled by Zechar Bailey Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Darke County Chapter of the American Red Cross or volunteer organization of one’s choice.
Condolences for the family may be sent to www.zecharbailey.com
