In Memory of
Dr. Robert L. Bernick

Devoted KOREH L.A. volunteer, Dr. Robert Bernick passed away in February. Robert volunteered at Halldale Elementary School for four years and was loved by all.

The impact made by Dr. Bernick’s work with Halldale students was summed up by Darlene Laudenberg, the school librarian: “He was terrific. He was absolutely great. You could see the change in the kids’ reading. He made a remarkable difference in our students and in our school. It was so nice to see him there week after week, his smiling face coming into the school.” Dr. Bernick worked with his current reading partner, Melissa, every Tuesday for the past two years. Melissa shared with her teacher how happy she was to work with him because he was always so kind to her, how he gave her stickers when she did a great job, how he always shared new books with her and helped her with reading. Melissa still asks when Dr. Bernick will be coming back.

He was born in St. Paul, MN and did his undergraduate work in Mathematics at the University of Minnesota earning membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. He earned his Master's degree in Physics from UC Berkeley, and his Ph.D. in Physics from USC. After working in the aerospace industry for many years, he shifted careers to become a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona where he taught for almost 30 years. At the time of his passing, he continued to teach part-time as Professor Emeritus.

He was an avid HAM radio operator, loved to travel, took trumpet lessons, and enjoyed hiking with his two Dalmatian dogs (Jack and Jill). He doted on his two grandsons, Zac (in the USC football picture) and three-year-old Jess who is a left-handed, blue-eyed, redhead just like his grandfather. Bob considered himself a USC Trojan and enjoyed attending all the USC home football games. Throughout his life, his Jewish identity was central to his being.


December 2007 USC/UCLA game.
In addition to doing other volunteer work, he was especially fond of his work with KOREH L.A. Besides simply enjoying the company of kids, as a university professor he was increasingly concerned that the level of reading and writing skills in university students was declining. He believed the only way to correct this situation was by working with elementary school kids to improve their reading skills.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, and three adult children: Elizabeth Norton, Dr. Elena Bernick, and Andrew Bernick.

Robert will be sorely missed.