Bernd "Bernie" Simon

Bernie was a Jewish German Holocaust survivor who escaped Dachau. He immigrated to the United States and enlisted in the US Army to fulfill his dream of returning to Europe to save his mother and fight the Nazis as an Army Air Corps bomb crew member. After the war, Bernie hunted down and arrested Nazi war criminals. As a Holocaust survivor Bernie was a noted speaker at synagogues, high schools and community organizations where he shared his wartime experiences. He had received recognition from the California Legislature for his public services in speaking and educating the public on this topic. He and his wife Judy have been long time members of Temple Beth Torah in Ventura.

Bernie retired from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department where he was a corrections officer.

He is survived by his wife Judy, of 65 years; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Angel of Irvine; daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Jesse Phillips of Orinda; grandchildren, Clifford, Gavin, Derek and Eliana.

Services will be held Friday, September 5, 1:00 P.M., in the chapel at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Rd., Ventura, with Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller officiating. Burial will follow.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.