Arthur Bernstein

Arthur Bernstein was born to Margrete Veramendi Sierra Luna and Alex Bernstein on September 28, 1929. Arthur’s family has always been part of San Antonio. Arthur’s great great grandfather, Governor Juan Martin Veramendi, played a part in Mexico’s independence and the Independence of Texas.

Arthur grew up on Martin Street. The Gonzalezes, Cassebs, Merys, Barreras, Josephs, Karams, Nicholases, and Riziks all lived on Martin Street. Arthur was a track star at Jefferson. Arthur had track scholarships to various schools but instead followed his brothers and sisters into the Navy. The Navy made Arthur part of the occupation of Japan. Downtown San Antonio was central to Arthur’s life. The old Police station next to the Courthouse, the old Courthouse, City Hall, the old Police station on Nueva, the Institute of Texas Cultures, their house on Martin Street, their house on Frasch in King William, his dad’s store on Commerce, and Bexar County National Bank were all part of Arthur’s life. Arthur’s amazing memory never failed him for 94 years.

Arthur knew every shop, restaurant, and owner in downtown San Antonio. He could share detailed stories about families, people, politicians, schools, streets, and businesses in San Antonio. Arthur could discuss Saul Lebman’s leather shop on Flores Street. Lebman was the "gunsmith to the gangsters”. Pretty Boy Floyd and John Dillinger shopped at Lebman’s. A quick trip to the store was a two-hour adventure, as there was always someone Arthur knew and had stories to tell. Arthur had practical advice on simple issues that had been needlessly complicated. He loved to point out, “if you feed pigeons, you get more pigeons”. Arthur joined the San Antonio Police department in 1951.

September 26, 1951, Arthur married Bexar County National Bank bookkeeper, Bertha Ressmann. Arthur and Bertha never stopped working to make things better for their two sons, Stanley and Jeffrey and their wives Kelly and Natalie. Later, that work ethic was focused on their grandchildren, Brandt, Braeden, Brianne, and Brynn; and great grandchild, Ryan. Arthur was skilled at personal communication. Part of his duties for SAPD were to chaperone dignitaries and keep an eye on the City Council. Mamie Eisenhower would regularly visit her dentist in San Antonio. Somewhere, Stanley still has a collection of lapel pins that Arthur used with the Secret Service. Arthur was known for helping minorities navigate the politics of the San Antonio Police Department. In 1983 he was appointed Chief for University of Texas in San Antonio. When Queen Elizabeth visited Texas, her stop in San Antonio was Arthur’s responsibility.

After 17 years with the UT System, Arthur retired. He and Bertha never stopped helping their sons’ careers, their daughter-in-laws’, and their grandchildren’s future. Art and Bertha traveled in their spare time. They loved Las Vegas. Fredericksburg was a constant stop. Bertha’s family was a founding family of Fredericksburg. Eagle Pass and Piedra Negras were stops since Arthur had family in both. The Texas Coast was an always.

Stanley and Jeffrey were blessed to have two parents that cared more about their children and their children’s families than themselves. Art and Bertha were together for 68 years. They are united again.

FUNERAL SERVICETHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 20231:00 PMCONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH16801 HUEBNER RD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78258