"Dear Gary, Donna, and all the Bernard Family. Hopefully you will find comfort in remembering what an outstanding person your father was and what a great role model he was for all who had the honor and privilege of knowing him. He certainly defined the phrase "brave and honorable man." Bernie - do you remember the time the four of us -- you and your father, my father and I -- were fishing (boating) on the Maquoketa river, we were motoring and I got thrown in and in a flash he jumped in to save me - without considering his own well-being? The trick was, he was wearing hip waders, which are not optimal to swim in. All worked out. He was also a great optometrist and friend, like all your family, to our family. Please accept my most heart-felt condolences on his passing."
In loving memory of
Dr. Melvin L. "Bud" Bernard
January 16, 1923 - November 1, 2017
Dr. Melvin L. "Bud" Bernard, 94, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday morning, November 1, 2017, at Clover Ridge Place in Maquoketa.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, April 13, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10 A.M. at First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa. Burial will be at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa, with military honors. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.
Melvin Lee Bernard was born on January 16, 1923 in Eagle Grove, Iowa, to George H. and Mary Estella (Lewis) Bernard. He lived on the family farm until his graduation from Eagle Grove High School in 1941. He then attended Eagle Grove Junior College and Iowa State University.
In 1942 he enlisted in the Army and was called to service in February of 1943 serving in the 2208 Trucking Company and the 1585 Trucking Battalion in the European Theater during World War II. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in December of 1945 he returned to Eagle Grove. In February of 1946, he boarded a train in Webster City, Iowa that was bound for Chicago bringing with him one small suitcase. His goal was to convince the president of the Illinois College of Optometry that they wanted him as a student. Within one week of that meeting he began his education.
During this time, he met Marilyn Ruth Sack at a dance. They were married on February 20, 1948 in Chicago, IL. Bud and Marilyn were married for 61 years and have two children; Donna (Keith) Wiebersch and Gary (Barbara) Bernard.
In 1949 they moved to Maquoketa where he opened his optometric practice. After 45 years he semi-retired and sold his practice to Dr. David Sybesma. He continued his practice of optometry until 2000 when he fully retired.
Dr. Bernard was a member of the American Optometric Association, Iowa Optometric Association, College of Vision Development and fellow member of the American Academy of Optometry. He made nine trips to Mexico as a member of the Iowa Chapter of Vosh. Locally, he was a member of Rotary where he served as the 20th president of the club. He was also a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, Izaak Walton, Knights of Pythias, Ducks Unlimited and the Chamber of Commerce. He was also involved in the group that brought the industrial site to Maquoketa. Bud was an active member of the United Methodist Church where he also served on the board during the time the church was built on Wesley Drive.
Throughout his life he enjoyed both participating in and watching all sports. He was especially proud and fond of watching his grandchildren in all of their activities. Bud also enjoyed watching the Iowa State Cyclones as well as the Iowa Hawkeyes. His personal hobbies included golfing, hunting, fishing, reading and traveling worldwide with Marilyn.
Bud is survived by his children, Donna (Keith) Wiebersch of Dubuque, IA, and Gary (Barbara) Bernard of Galena, IL; 4 grandchildren, Katelin Wiebersch of Dubuque, IA, Matthew Wiebersch of Chicago, IL, Ellen (Kyle) Colgan of St. Charles, MO, and Samuel Bernard of Des Moines, IA; two brothers, Kenneth (Shirley) Bernard of Minnetonka, MN, and Jerald (Laurene) Bernard of Cedar Falls, IA; a sister-in-law, Ruth Bernard of Cedar Falls, IA; and a brother-in-law Jim Stevenson of Scottsdale, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Russell, a sister, Eileen, and his wife Marilyn on November 5, 2009.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Jake Bickford and Chuck Farnum for their special friendship and to all of the personnel at Clover Ridge Place and Hospice of Jackson County for their exceptional care.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Dr. Melvin L. "Bud" Bernard memorial fund has been established.
Online Condolences may be left at www.carsonandson.com.
Tributes
"I am sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I remember all the trips to Iowa for the annual Sack Family eye exam after dinner. May Bud be reunited with Sis and watch over your family and the Cubs Tim Sack"
"Dr. Bernard was a special part of our parents' lives that I will always remember. The lunchtime meetings with Carl Rotman and my dad were so very special for me personally....I am certain that they are all having a great time together again! God bless your family greatly!"
"Bernie, Sorry to hear about your dad. May he rest in peace. Hope all is well with you and yours."
"R.I.P. - Dr. Bernard - I was 16, when 1st Seen You & You Said, There's Something in Your Eye's - But Can't Diagnosis it - We ll cum to Find out - I have, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS - & That's what it is & You - We're so Darn good - But Just Wasn't, HereD of back then - 35 yrs ago !!! - Audra Seymour Martin "
"I always looked forward to our trips to the house that would annually include the eye exam! I remember watching cartoons on the wall! Uncle Bud was certainly a character! Blessed in life, memorable and inspiring. "
"Donna, Gary and families-I worked with you dad many years ago-he was a great man, full of energy and had such a droll sense of humor..I used to walk with him and Carl Rotman when we lived in Maquoketa..We all have to say goodbye to those we love, but will remember them all with good memories... "
"Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your dad. I have many fond memories of good times at your parents home. May God bless you all!!"
"Donna and Gary.. Funny I was just thinking of Doc the other day along with others who have gone since I left Maquoketa and wondering how he was doing. He was a very special man and they were a very special couple to me as I worked there as an assistant for 4 or 5 years. We shared the same church family and I always enjoyed visiting with them over coffee after church. I loved hearing his stories of travels to help in other countries with glasses....they were just very nice people Marilyn and Doc. An unforgettable part of my life. You have my deepest sympathy."
"I want to extend my sympathy to Donna & Gary. Dr. Bernard was such a nice person, especially to my parents. I would kid him that my family helped send his kids through college! His legacy will carry on and I'm honored to have been positively affected by him. May God bless his soul and give you comfort."
"To my friend and colleague of many decades, Dr. Melvin "Bud" Bernard: You were a great friend and superb professional. You deserve a premium place in the Lord's House. Hope to see you there someday! Dr. Robert & Nancy Scholl"
"I am sorry for your loss. Doc Bernard was a great eye Dr. I remember my first pair of glasses,one lense changed to photogrey out side . we took them back and I remember him saying we can correct these if you like!I chose not to because I thought it was pretty cool! He wanted all his patients happy and he would spend time with you making sure you had to right fit and glasses! You don't find eye dr like that anymore!
You have my deepest sympathy
Kari"
"Donna and Gary, I am so sorry to read that your dad has passed. The Bernard family have always held a special place in the hearts of the Brooks family. May God comfort you, and may the many memories of your daddy cause you to smile."
"From my first pair of wacky glasses to my hard contact lenses (and teaching me to put an X on a paper towel and stare at it while trying to put the contact lens in), thank you for your care and your caring. "