In Memory Of
Theodore C. "Ted" Bernard
1925
2020
Theodore C. "Ted" Bernard
June 8, 1925 — December 24, 2020
Theodore C. Bernard, 95, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2020.
Ted was born on June 8, 1925, to George and Geraldine Bernard of Greenwood County, Kansas. After graduating from Hamilton High School in 1942, he enrolled at the University of Kansas. When World War II intervened, Ted left KU in 1943 to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps sent Ted to radio repair school. He served on aircraft carriers in the Pacific theater, maintaining and repairing equipment on Corsair and Hellcat airplanes. In 1946, Ted was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant and returned to school at KU. He continued his service as a second lieutenant in ROTC and retired from the Army Reserve as a captain in 1964.
Inspired by his experience with radios in the Marine Corps, Ted switched his studies to electrical engineering. On June 3, 1950, Ted graduated from KU with his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. That same day, he married fellow graduate Jane Hyde at Danforth Chapel on the KU campus.
After graduation, Ted worked for Owens Corning in research and development. In 1957, he moved to southern California to work for General Dynamics on the Atlas missile program.
In 1959, his wife, Jane, passed away.
Ted met Joyce Larsen at General Dynamics and they married in 1962. Together with their children, they formed a blended family. Ted went on to various positions for General Dynamics, moving first to Oceanport, New Jersey, and commuting to corporate headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City. Thereafter, he worked on various projects, moving to Creve Coeur, Missouri, in 1971, and Camden, Arkansas, in 1984. In 1990, Ted and Joyce moved to Cairo, Egypt, so he could manage the building of a new Abrams tank factory. When the first tank rolled off the assembly line in 1993, Ted retired from General Dynamics after 38 years.
After retiring, Joyce and Ted traveled to Europe and Russia. They bought a motorhome and spent many happy summers visiting their far-flung children and grandchildren throughout the United States.
Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, in 2017; his sons, Chuck (Mary Kay) and Greg (Faye); his brother, Roscoe, and sister, Juanita; and his nephew, Michael. He is survived by his children, Sherri (Will), John (Lettitia), Jill (Rob), and Jim (Teri); his grandchildren, Matt (Laura), Jake, Zach, Andrew (Laura), Stewart (Alicia), Cameron (Courtney), Michael (Kristen), Chris, Megan (Shelly), Jennifer, and Joel (Josie); numerous great-grandchildren; his nieces, Leanne (Walter) and Sherri (Jack); and nephew, Bob (Judy).
Cremation has taken place and a private inurnment will follow at Hamilton Cemetery in Hamilton, Kansas, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Indian College Fund and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd. in Topeka, Kansas, is assisting the family.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
Ted was born on June 8, 1925, to George and Geraldine Bernard of Greenwood County, Kansas. After graduating from Hamilton High School in 1942, he enrolled at the University of Kansas. When World War II intervened, Ted left KU in 1943 to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps sent Ted to radio repair school. He served on aircraft carriers in the Pacific theater, maintaining and repairing equipment on Corsair and Hellcat airplanes. In 1946, Ted was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant and returned to school at KU. He continued his service as a second lieutenant in ROTC and retired from the Army Reserve as a captain in 1964.
Inspired by his experience with radios in the Marine Corps, Ted switched his studies to electrical engineering. On June 3, 1950, Ted graduated from KU with his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. That same day, he married fellow graduate Jane Hyde at Danforth Chapel on the KU campus.
After graduation, Ted worked for Owens Corning in research and development. In 1957, he moved to southern California to work for General Dynamics on the Atlas missile program.
In 1959, his wife, Jane, passed away.
Ted met Joyce Larsen at General Dynamics and they married in 1962. Together with their children, they formed a blended family. Ted went on to various positions for General Dynamics, moving first to Oceanport, New Jersey, and commuting to corporate headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City. Thereafter, he worked on various projects, moving to Creve Coeur, Missouri, in 1971, and Camden, Arkansas, in 1984. In 1990, Ted and Joyce moved to Cairo, Egypt, so he could manage the building of a new Abrams tank factory. When the first tank rolled off the assembly line in 1993, Ted retired from General Dynamics after 38 years.
After retiring, Joyce and Ted traveled to Europe and Russia. They bought a motorhome and spent many happy summers visiting their far-flung children and grandchildren throughout the United States.
Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, in 2017; his sons, Chuck (Mary Kay) and Greg (Faye); his brother, Roscoe, and sister, Juanita; and his nephew, Michael. He is survived by his children, Sherri (Will), John (Lettitia), Jill (Rob), and Jim (Teri); his grandchildren, Matt (Laura), Jake, Zach, Andrew (Laura), Stewart (Alicia), Cameron (Courtney), Michael (Kristen), Chris, Megan (Shelly), Jennifer, and Joel (Josie); numerous great-grandchildren; his nieces, Leanne (Walter) and Sherri (Jack); and nephew, Bob (Judy).
Cremation has taken place and a private inurnment will follow at Hamilton Cemetery in Hamilton, Kansas, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Indian College Fund and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd. in Topeka, Kansas, is assisting the family.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Theodore C. "Ted" Bernard, please visit our flower store.
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