Myron Jules Bernard died October 26, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents Adolph and Anne Koplowitz Bernard and brother Burton Bernard.
By his side for the last two decades of his life and throughout his final days in Kansas City was special friend Audrey Rothbarth of Clayton, MO. Audrey’s family treated Myron with love, kindness, and respect. Myron was grateful to his cousins Dorothy and Billy Firestone for introducing him to Audrey. His life was enriched by the close relationships he enjoyed with his extended family and friends.
Myron is survived by his son Jerry Bernard (Lisa Bernard, wife) of Overland Park, Kansas, and his daughter Risa Sibley Berke (Greg Berke, husband) of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Myron leaves behind 6 grandchildren: Daniel Bernard of Paradise Valley, AZ; Rachel and Gavi Horwitz of Overland Park, KS; Shira Bernard and partner Derek Jobst of San Francisco, CA; Dr. Benjamin Bernard and fiancé Stephanie Heimler of San Diego, CA; Brett Sibley and partner Lindsey Ruff of Indianapolis, In, and Erica Sibley and fiancé Jarrett Logan of Oceanside, CA. His great joys are his 3 great-grandchildren: Mia, Eli, and Noa Horwitz of Overland Park, KS
Myron was born in St Louis and raised in Granite City, Illinois. He attended Granite City Community High School and the University of Illinois- Champaign Urbana, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and played football. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
In 1957, he married Beverly Karsh. The couple had two children Jerry and Risa. They divorced in 1983.
From 1956-2020, Myron worked as an electrical construction executive and consultant to the construction industry. He was involved in major projects in the St. Louis area and well as national and international locations.
He started his construction career as a laborer on the river locks in Granite City. After college graduation, he joined the Sachs Electric Company in 1956, and later served as senior vice president.
Among his many construction assignments were the original Chrysler Corporation Fenton Assembly Plant; AmerenUE Unit #3 at the Meramec Plant; United States Post Office in Downtown St. Louis; High Rise Office building in Clayton, MO; Scullin Steel; Monsanto Corporate Offices and Corporate Research Facility in Creve Coeur MO; McDonnell Aircraft: office, hanger facilities, cement plants, and fertilizer plants; the St. Louis Gateway Arch; Ralston Purina Pet Food: cereal, protein, plants, and mushroom growing facilities throughout the United States and international.
While serving as a construction consultant, he worked on gas turbine electrical generating facilities; oil refineries; steel mills; breweries; a rocket assembly building; automobile plant expansions. He enjoyed his close working relationship with PayneCrest Electric during his final years in the construction industry. He also served as an adjunct professor at Washington University, teaching construction scheduling and estimating for the master’s degree in engineering program.
In his later years, he worked with Kansas City Audio-Visual’s St. Louis office as its logistics manager. He enjoyed imparting his vast knowledge of large project construction and general business acumen to the St. Louis staff.
He was a past president of the St. Louis Engineers Club and Rainbow Village. He served as a board member for the St. Louis Jewish Community Center; Metropolitan Employment and Rehabilitation Service; and B’nai Amoona Congregation. He also served on the allocation committee for Variety and as a mentor for the Center of Emerging Technologies.
Funeral Service (Also Available by Livestream) Monday October 27, 11:30 AM at Berger Memorial Chapel, 9430 Olive Blvd. 63132. Interment following at B’nai Amoona Cemetery, 930 North and South Rd. 63130.
Donations to the Bernard Fund at Barnes Jewish; JCC of St. Louis Day Care; Variety; Rainbow Village; KC Hospice House; or a charity of your choice.
Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com to view the livestream and for more information.
BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
