Bernard L. Powell

Bernard Lawrence Powell passed away December 14, 2021, at the age of 76. He was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on June 7, 1945, to Lambert and Irene Powell. Bernie graduated from Rockhurst College in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. In 1975 he earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma. He spent much of his life in San Antonio, Texas, where he worked for the Health Science Center doing cancer research. Later, he enjoyed teaching Chemistry at the University of Texas at San Antonio as well as San Antonio College for over 30 years.

Bernie married Ann Redlinger on August 26th, 1967, in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Together they raised a family in San Antonio, Texas. Spending time with family was always very important to Bernie he never missed one of his daughters choir concerts or one of his sons baseball games. Their home was always filled with music; his favorite hymn was How Great Thou Art, and he loved John Denver, the Kingston Trio, and the Mills Brothers. At Christmas time, Johnny Mathis and Nat King Cole were at the top of the list. Christmas was Bernies favorite holiday and was a time that exemplified his servants heart. He enjoyed serving with his family at the Elf Louise Christmas Project and especially loved playing the role of Santa. More recently, he served alongside his wife Ann in the food pantry ministry at St. Anthony Mary Claret, helping others in their time of need. In addition, spending time outdoors was important to Bernie. Frequently, he took his family birdwatching and camping, instilling in his children a love for nature. He felt closest to God through Creation enjoying the roll of thunder during a storm, gazing at Orion in the night sky, or hearing the trill of a birds song in the stillness of the morning.

His hobbies included reading and collecting coins, and he loved sitting on his porch doing sudoku, solving crossword puzzles, and perusing the newspaper. He and his son Matthew shared a love for baseball; they enjoyed collecting baseball cards and going to Kansas City Royals games. Wherever Bernie went, laughter was never far away his students, coworkers, and family can all testify to his sharp wit and quick comebacks. In addition to his sense of humor, Bernie had a deep appreciation for service members of all kinds. While out and about, it was not uncommon for him to approach a person in uniform to thank him for his service. More than anything else, though, Bernie treasured his family and loved being in their presence.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Lambert and Irene Powell, his brother Leo Powell and Leos wife Cathy, and his half-brother Donald Rushton. He is remembered by his wife of 54 years, Ann, his brother David Powell (wife Barbara), his sister Dorothy Smith, his daughter Laura (husband Cory Shipman), his daughter Jeanette Powell, his son Matthew (wife Lauren), five grandchildren: Jeremiah Shipman (wife Rebecca), Justin Shipman, Megan Shipman, olyn Powell, and Aldaron Powell, and one great-grandchild, Daniel Shipman, as well as many other beloved friends and family members.

We are very grateful for the compassionate care that Bernie received in the ICU at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital Westover Hills. A Rosary will be held at 12:00 P.M. on December 28th, 2021, at St. Anthony Mary Claret Church in San Antonio, Texas. The Rosary will be followed by a memorial mass at 12:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Elf Louise Christmas Project via their website (elflouise.org) or Boys Town via their website (boystown.org). Please include Bernard Powell in the memo.