Our club typically recognizes one member annually for exceptional service with the "Rotarian of the Year" award, but if there was a prize for the "Rotarian of the Half Century," Bernie would undoubtedly earn it.

Bernie excelled in accounting and real estate, and served as the 26th President of Lynnwood Rotary. He was a driving force in establishing the Lynnwood Rotary Community Foundation. He was a dedicated participant in various community service projects.

Bernie was an integral part of Lynnwood Rotary's sponsorship of the Washington State Air Fair at Paine Field for 25 successful years. At its peak, it was the third largest air show in the nation.

He and Past President Dave Thomson were the main initiators of the Lynnwood Rotary Apartments project, now known as Garden Senior Village Apartments, which aimed to provide affordable housing for low-income elderly citizens. The project took five years from conception to completion, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony in 1997.

Bernie also played a significant role in the Lynnwood Rotary House Project, a partnership with the Edmonds School District. Since 1975, the program has been building a new house each year to provide hands-on learning opportunities in construction trades for students.

Bernie was a visionary, bringing innovative projects to life, and also a patriotic U.S. Army Reserve officer. His impact even reached into the Iron Curtain, as he was a key player in the formation of the first Rotary Club in Ukraine during the Cold War.