Dr. Ernest Francis "Bud" Bernhardi Jr.

Dr. Ernest Francis “Bud” Bernhardi, Jr., DO, peacefully passed away at his home in Harrisonburg, VA on January 12, 2017. He was 96. Born June 5, 1920 in Chicago, IL to Ernest F. Bernhardi, Sr. and Florence Ruth MacPherson, he was raised in East Rockaway, Long Island, NY. Dr. Bernhardi was a US Army veteran of World War II and graduated in 1951 from the Chicago College of Osteopathy. He maintained a general practice in Malverne, NY from 1952-78, while serving as Nassau County Police Surgeon, 5th Precinct. In 1978, he relocated to Harrisonburg, VA to continue his practice and retired in 2011at age 91. Dr. Bernhardi held appointments as Clinical Professor and Associate Professor at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, respectively. Known to many as "Bud", he was a man of great compassion, generosity and spirituality. His passion was treating children and those afflicted with cerebral palsy, autism, migraines and chronic back pain. Bud was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus and Disabled Veterans of America. Mr. Bernhardi was preceded in death by two daughters, Caryl Ann Lear and Ruth Kaplan; sisters Marjorie and Marilou; brothers John and Robert. He is survived by wife, Emmy Keller Bernhardi and first wife, Carol J. Bernhardi; brother William; sons, Edward and Ern; grandchildren, Teddy, Elizabeth, Christian and Jordan Bernhardi, Matt and Scott Kaplan; and son-in-law Stan Kaplan. The family will receive friends at the Lindsey Funeral Home, in Harrisonburg, Monday, January 16, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, in Harrisonburg, Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 12:00 Noon. Donations can be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindseyharrisonburg.com