To Jan, Susanne and Christine:  We were all very saddened to hear about Rick's serious illness, and then, untimely death. He leaves a large "hole" in our Edgewood congregation.  He was a tireless worker in whatever he took on, and had a wealth of knowledge. One memory I have is that he loaned me a trap when I was trying to get rid of "animals" in my attic. He always had advice on home problems and worked at the church on everything! I know from Jan how much he loved his garden, which is therapy for us all.
    We were all blessed to know him and so glad that his family was able to be close and to visit often in the last years.  
     Love to you all,  Beth Cafagna

I have just learned of Rick Bernsten’s passing through an RPCV newsletter and wish to share with his family my sincerest condolences. Dr. Bernsten was my PhD adviser at MSU during a very difficult time—when my young son was battling cancer.  He kept me moving forward with my work and was a truly excellent mentor. While my plans for continued overseas work in ag econ soon came to an end, I feel strongly that the skills I learned from Dr. Bernsten were put to an equally effective use as the founder of The Davies Project here in Lansing. I will forever be grateful Dr. Bernsten for his guidance and friendship.

I was deeply saddened to learn from a friend at MSU that Dr. Richard Bernsten, one of the professors who inspired me to become a researcher, has passed away. I first met him in Indonesia in March 2001, and from that moment until I completed my PhD at MSU, Drs. Rick and Jan Bernsten extended to me unwavering kindness, guidance, and support.

The last time I saw him was in August 2022. Just as he had during my time at MSU, he welcomed me warmly and expressed his happiness that I was working as a university faculty member in Taiwan. That meeting, now cherished as our final conversation, is a memory I will always hold close to my heart.

He was not only an exceptional scholar but also a generous mentor whose encouragement opened doors I could never have imagined. His belief in me gave me the strength to persevere through challenges, and his warmth made MSU feel like a second home.

I owe much of my journey as a researcher to Dr. Bernsten, and his legacy will live on in the countless lives he has touched. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, and I will always remember his wisdom, kindness, and the joy he found in the successes of those he mentored.

Rick was my friend and colleague for many years at MSU. There was no better mentor for students than Rick. He encouraged them to think practically (not just theoretically) about the real-world consequences of both their own work and of policies and did so with an open and welcoming personality. He put enormous energy into his teaching (I remember the tons of articles from the Christian Science Monitor that he went through to find key information on foreign assistance for his undergraduate development class) as well as reviewing draft theses and advising students. But more than that, he and his family made his graduate students feel welcome in East Lansing by inviting them to their home and to various events. His dedication to making the world better was an example for us all. He will be truly missed, but his legacy lives on through his students and the colleagues that had the honor of knowing him.

Linda and I were shocked and deeply saddened upon reading Rick’s obituary in a recent edition of a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Newsletter. While we served in different countries, we shared many wonderful stories of our “Peace Corps days” in West Africa during the 1960s. Rick was an early advocate for small, farmer-driven, farming systems research and he instilled a similar drive in his students. May Rick’s memory encourage others to continue working and fighting on behalf of peasant farmers around the world.
Jim and Linda Bingen
Minneapolis

Rick will be dearly missed. I was among the last students he mentored and was fortunate to continue interacting with him after my graduation, during my visits to East Lansing. I remember that when we were about to move, he and Jan invited us to their home for dinner, and my oldest son played badminton with him in his backyard. Without hesitation, he ordered a set of rackets for my son to bring with us, and we still have them! That is the kind of person he was, not only interested in helping young researchers develop professionally, but also a giving and humble person. Our prayers are with you, Jan, Suzy and Christine.

Dear Jan, Christine, and Suzy, 

Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your spouse and father. Words fail me in the face of such immense loss. Rick was an incredible man who had the ability to make those around him happy and confident. I first met him in Cameroon in 1991 when he visited our research institute with Jim Sterns to collect data on the rate of return of investments made in research. Jim and I gathered data for our Master's theses during that visit. I was a young researcher at the time, preparing to join the MSU ag econ family. From that moment, our bond and the respect I had for him developed quickly. 

Throughout my Master's and PhD years at MSU, he served as my supervisor and mentor. He generously opened the doors of his home and family to mine, creating an environment that made our stay in East Lansing even more enjoyable. We even became members of Edgewood United Church, the church his family attended. His words of wisdom and pragmatism are embedded in my mind. He would often ask me if the additional data I planned to collect would significantly alter my conclusions. My family and I owe him a great deal for who I have become. 

To Jan, Christine, and Suzy, we know this is a challenging time for you. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rick. Our thoughts are with you and your family. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to live on in all the lives he touched.

I had the privilege of working with Rick for many years, especially during my time as Director of Graduate Studies.  I was impressed with Rick's commitment to helping the students finish their programs.  He was an amazing advisor for his students, who greatly appreciated his kind support.  He always had a smile for everyone.

Rick was one of my mentors when I first joined the MSU Agricultural Economics Department as a PhD student, and later a valued colleague on many international research projects. He played a key role in my joining the Bean/Cowpea CRSP and, ultimately, in launching my career at MSU over 25 years ago.

We collaborated on numerous international initiatives and co-advised several graduate students through different projects. Through these collaborations, I witnessed firsthand Rick’s deep dedication to students and his generous mentorship style. His approach to research was always grounded in practical, “common-sense” solutions to real development problems—never science for its own sake, but research with purpose and compassion.

Among our many travels together, one of my fondest memories is our 2007 visit to Central Asia to evaluate the collaborative research initiatives under the IPM CRSP. Those days spent meeting local farmers, researchers, and partners—and visiting historic cities along the Silk Road—remain unforgettable.

Rick’s kindness, humility, and wisdom left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege to work with him. I will always remember him with deep respect and gratitude—for his mentorship, friendship, and the example he set as a thoughtful and grounded scholar.

— Mywish Maredia

I first met Rick in 1981 when I was a student at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines and Rick was an IRRI scientist outposted to Indonesia.  We met again when I came to MSU to begin graduate studies in 1988.  Rick was relentlessly enthusiastic about his students and solving development problems, especially those faced by small farmers.  Like many Peace Corps volunteers he never lost his commitment to keep his feet on the ground and engage with local realities.  This made him a patient and compassionate teacher, committed to his students' welfare and success, and with a refreshingly low tolerance for any kind of "BS", especially in politics and bureaucracy.  My condolences to Jan and his family on the loss of a very special husband, father and grandfather.  His memory lives on in many hearts in many places.

Rick was a very special colleague, so I would like to take the opportunity to share some memories.
   In the email thread among MSU faculty that Mywish Maredia shared with the sad news of Rick’s passing, “kind” was the word used by one person after another in their reflections.  Rick’s kindness toward international students and visitors especially stood out. Sylvia and I enjoyed your hospitality for several meals with international students, and I know there were many more.  
   Rick’s approach to international economic development work was built on collegial friendships.  I had the pleasure of working with him for 5 years on the USAID Bean-Cowpea CRSP project in Latin America in the early 2000’s.  I was deeply impressed by its network of productive, professional relationships among researchers in the region.  By exemplary friendships, Rick showed me why and how that network functioned so well, despite very modest funding from USAID.  
   It takes time to build relationships and to learn new cultures.  That is why at a time when MSU was focused on superficial study-abroad programs via 3-week field trips, Rick created and championed the full-year undergraduate exchange program with the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.  This serious exchange program enabled students in both directions to get a real sense of the other country and to have work experiences.  It was the kind of study-abroad program that is truly transformative.
   As a teacher, I admired Rick for his commitment to active learning and showing students how to make a difference through research.  During the 1980’s and 1990’s, his graduate class on data collection in developing countries would often involve a practicum for a local government as a practicum.  Results of his class’s survey of East Lansing residents just before I moved to town shaped the design of the city’s recycling program.

I am Patrick Kambewa from Malawi, Africa. I met with Rick as a student at Michigan State University where I studied for a PhD in Agriculture Economics.  Rich was instrumental in settling in East Lansing together with Professor Anne Ferguson.  He had empathy for foreign students which enabled them 'survive' the program.  In 1996, he visited Malawi while I was doing my research.  He welcomed students to his home such that the daughters were like sisters and Jan was our mother while in the USA.  May his soul rest in ertenal peace.

So sorry to hear about Rick and I send much love to Jan, Christina and Susy and your families.  Many happy memories of Rick and Jan's wedding in Taiama amongst others.  Margy K

Jan and family - I am saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. I enjoyed working with him on various projects. He was so generous with his time and resources in the service of others. A very fine charitable soul has left us.

It is with great sadness that I learned of Professor Bernsten’s passing. Professor Bernsten was my advisor during my Master’s studies at MSU, but he was far more than an academic mentor to me. He was a constant source of guidance, encouragement, and genuine care.
His support went beyond academic. He cared deeply about the wellbeing of his students and always made us feel at home, even when we were far from our own. I will never forget the many times he and his wonderful wife, Jan, opened their home to us for dinners filled with warmth, laughter, and meaningful conversations.
I remain profoundly grateful for his kindness, wisdom, and compassion, and for the role he played in shaping both my education and my life. Professor Bernsten was an exceptional teacher and an even more exceptional human being.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Jan and the entire Bernsten family. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. Professor Bernsten’s legacy will continue to live on in all the lives he touched.
Chhime Tshering,
Thimphu, Bhutan

Dear Jan and family,
I first met Rick as a graduate student in the 1980s. As RPCVS ( returned peace corps volunteers) we immediately had something in common and shared our love of international work. As a colleague in the Dept at MSU, we exchanged many tales. He and I traveled to Kenya one time m, with time for laughter, good food, and joint support for the students that we were mentoring. I will miss his kind smiles and his intense focus on sponsoring students, enabling exchange of culture, knowledge and skills. Thank you for sharing a great guy with all of us.

It is with great sorrow to hear of the passing on of Prof. Bernstein. May the Lord grant him enternal peace.

Dear Bernsten Family,

I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Bernsten’s passing. May he rest in peace. He was a true mentor and collaborator during my graduate years at MSU, and it was thanks to him that I began working in Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso in 2009 assessing different marketing alternatives for processed millet—an experience I still cherish and proudly include in my CV.

I have many fond memories of our conversations, the books we enjoyed discussing, and the remarkable people we both knew and admired around the world. I will always hold a special place in my mind’s library for Dr. Bernsten—a great man, mentor, and friend.

With heartfelt condolences,

Luis Flores

OBITUARY

Richard Haines Bernsten

February 11, 1945 – October 30, 2025

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services