Henry Crenshaw Bernhardt

Henry Crenshaw Bernhardt, 84, of Salisbury died Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Rowan Regional Medical Center. Born August 22, 1925 in Salisbury, he was the son of the late Helen Crenshaw Bernhardt and Robert Linn Bernhardt, Sr. He was educated in the Salisbury schools and graduated from Boyden High School, Catawba College and the Southeastern Management Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill. Mr. Bernhardt was a veteran of the US Army, he served with distinction with the 90th Infantry of Patton’s 3rd Army and received 2 Bronze Stars, numerous other citations. After the war he operated his own band, the Henry Bernhardt Orchestra for a number of years. He worked with his family at Salisbury Hardware on South Main Street and in 1960 as Executive Vice-President of the Salisbury Rowan Merchants Association, he more than tripled its membership and started the Holiday Caravan Parade. In 1967 he became Catawba College’s first Development Officer; won three national (Case-U.S. Steel) awards for Alumni funds; completed two highly successful capital campaigns and founded the Chief’s Club. In 1981, he founded his own consulting firm, Institutional Development Association (IDA) which he directed for 20 years before retiring in 2001. Mr. Bernhardt was Vice-Chairman of the “250 Fest” steering committee, which consisted of 15 citizens from all over Rowan County. He also served with the City of Salisbury on the Mayor’s Committee on Integration, founding member and Past Chairman of the Salisbury Planning Board, serving 24 years, served on the All-American City Committee and was a founding member of the Firemen’s Relief Fund. A lifelong member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden, he was a driving force in starting the St. Luke’s Foundation. A member of the Salisbury Jaycees and served on the local, state and national level. He was a member of the Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post #342, member and served as President of the 90th Infantry Association, was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Catawba College in 2009, and received the O. B. Michael Distinguished Alumni Award in 1981 and was a member of Wong’s Coffee Club. He and his 3 sons all received the rank of Eagle Scout while in the Boy Scouts. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Katherine “Kitty” Foss Hueper and his brother, Robert Linn Bernhardt, Jr. Survivors include his wife of almost 52 years, Jo Ann Beasley Bernhardt, whom he married April 20, 1958; sons, Linn Bernhardt of Salisbury, John Bernhardt and partner T. J. Norman of Atlanta, GA, and Matt Bernhardt and wife Terri of Salisbury; daughter, Laura Bernhardt Smith and husband Dr. Brian Smith of Shelby and two grandsons, Austin Smith and Davis Smith of Shelby. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 PM Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Whayne M. Hougland, Jr. Rector and Rev. Cecelia C. Schroeder, Assistant to the Rector officiating. Interment will follow at Chestnut Hill Cemetery. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by the Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the Summersett Funeral Home from 6-8:00 PM Monday. Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Foundation, 131 W. Council St., Salisbury, NC 28144 or Catawba College Chief’s Club, 2300 W. Innes Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 The family would like to express their gratitude to Rowan Regional Medical Center and the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks for the care and love given to Mr. Bernhardt.

Henry Crenshaw Bernhardt

August 22, 1925 - March 20, 2010