Bernard Michael Russik

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Bernard (Bernie) Michael Russik, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, on December 26th, 2024, at the age of 89, after a long struggle with cancer.

Bernie was born in Duryea, PA, then moved to Binghamton, NY, with his parents and siblings where he met his future wife, Ardele Louise Ostrom, in elementary school at the age of twelve. They both played softball, becoming friends, and became high school sweethearts before graduating in 1953. In 1956 they married and Bernie was employed with Link Aviation. In 1959, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was assigned to Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine where he served as part of the Strategic Air Command as a draftsman. While there they had two daughters, Evelyn and Maryanne. After an honorable discharge in 1962, Bernie and his young family returned to Binghamton, New York where their third daughter, Ardele, was born and he resumed his pre-enlistment work with Link Aviation.

In 1966 Bernie and his family moved to Endicott, New York where he began his career with IBM as a mechanical engineer. In 1979, he and his family were relocated to Charlotte, NC, when IBM relocated some of its operations there. Bernie remained with IBM until retiring after 28 years of dedication.

Not yet content to live the “retired life,” Bernie went to work for IMO Pumps for the next 10 years, again as a mechanical engineer.

During and after this time, Bernie’s family grew to include two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren, and most recently, a grandson-in-law, and a granddaughter-in-law, and last year a great-granddaughter. Bernie’s kin also included Daisy, The Yellow Lab, and currently, Henry, The Black Lab.

Bernie is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Ardele, his three daughters, Evelyn Russik, Maryanne Johnson, and Ardie Lindler, and son-in-law Jimmy Lindler, granddaughter Della Wentowski and her husband Ray, grandson Jacob Lindler and his wife Erin, and his great granddaughter Leah Lindler, granddaughter Caroline Smith Groat, her husband Chris, great grandson Mac Smith, great granddaughter Hannah Smith, and great grandsons Austin and Spencer Groat.

Bernie was a generous man with a vast curiosity and a tremendous sense of humor, having a joke for every occasion, and this he passed on to his three daughters. He also passed on his life-long love of everything aviation. Always harboring a dream to become a pilot, he attended airshows wherever and whenever possible, as far afield as Tucson, AZ, Oshkosh, WI, and Farnborough, England. Closer to home, in celebration of several birthdays, he was gifted rides in an open-cockpit biplane and a vintage P-51Mustang, his all-time favorite aircraft.

Bernie’s passion for aviation has also resulted in an extensive collection of aviation memorabilia which is displayed in his room, covering every available surface, shelves as well as walls.

And perhaps most touchingly, Bernie’s spirit is now soaring high in his beloved wild blue yonder.

A Celebration of Bernie's life will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11am at McEwen Funeral Home - Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210. Burial will follow immediately afterwards at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, 1775 Filbert Way, York, SC 29745.

Online condolences may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210.