"what i remember most aout Bernie is what his obit calls "unconditional love." No matter how or how often joan messed up, needed help, changed jobs or careers, said the wrong thing, lost friends--he always supported her emotionally and financially. That kind of loyalty is rare indeed!"
In loving memory of
Bernard Henry Booms
March 6, 1937 - June 25, 2011
Bernard Henry Booms died peacefully at home on Saturday, June 25, 2011, after a long illness. He was surrounded by his family including his beloved standard poodle, Remy.
Bernard was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1937 and moved to Seattle in 1959. He attended Ohio State University and is a graduate of the University of Washington. He earned his PhD at the University of Pittsburgh. A lifelong academic and business consultant, he conducted original research and co-authored seminal publications in the field of services management and was an extra-ordinary professor. He was awarded a national teaching award in 1968. He taught at both Washington State University in its Hotel and Restaurant Management Program located in Seattle and the University of Washington Tacoma where he was a founding faculty member of its Business School.
Bernard was known to many as "an original". His intellectual curiosity was boundless. His interests ranged from teaching, to business strategy, to sales and marketing, to the internet, to architecture, to dog psychology, to sailing, to college sports and more. But he was always most interested in whomever he was speaking with in the moment. His love of people was limitless. His devotion to his children was fathomless. Being a father was the most rewarding role in his life. His storytelling was peerless, punctuated by his self-deprecating wit. We will miss his unconditional love, his sense of humor, his smile, and one-of a- kind outlook on life.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joan Akers Booms, his son, Douglas M. Booms of Seattle, his sister, Marianne Booms Szabo of Dallas, Texas and his brother-in-law David W. Akers, David's wife, Sharron, and daughter Heather, all of Stuart, Florida. He was preceded in death by his 24-year-old daughter, Julia K. Booms, in 1993.
Tributes
"It was sad to learn that Bernard, one of the true pioneers of service marketing research, has passed away. I met Bernard at many conferences, and always enjoyed his wit and humor. Please accept my condoleances from the other side of the Atlantic."
"with heartfelt sympathy, Evergreen Washelli"