Bernard "Bernie" Weiner

The announcement attached below was originally posted by the National Stuttering Association. It is shared here with permission. It is part of the Celebrating Bernie page which includes a link at the beginning to the Bernie Scholarship Fund and at the end posts from several who knew Bernie. It is included below. With gratitude, Judy Kuster

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Obituary for BERNARD "BERNIE" WEINER

Posted on the Hebrew Memorial Chapel website

SERVICES: 10:00 AM WEDNESDAY 11/20/2019 at HEBREW MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Age 71, of Troy, died November 18, 2019, Active with the National Stuttering Association, he received many awards including, Volunteer of the Year, Member of the Year and Hall of Fame. Mr. Weiner received a 25 year award for being a leader, Friend and Mentor of Beaumont Support Group for people who stutter. Bernie was also active with Gift of Life, having received a bone marrow transplant that gave him 3 extra years of life with his family. Beloved husband to Harriet Weiner. Devoted father of Aaron (fiancee, Veronica Flores) Weiner and Robyn Rinke. Loving grandfather of Jakob Rinke and Rebekah Rinke. Cherished brother to Arnold Weiner, Sharon Wiatrak and Maida (Larry) Dudek.

OFFICIATING: Rabbi Aura Ahuvia

Posted on the Tribute Wall of Hebrew Memorial Chapel are several personal stories including the following that shared stories about Bernie:

  • Tom Devries: Bernie and I golfed together many times after we retired. He wasn't the greatest golfer but he was 1 of the best to be on the course with. He never stuttered when he had a bad shot, he cussed. He is one of my heroes. I will miss you my friend.
  • Louis D. DeMello: I met Bernie over 36 years ago. We were sitting in a department meeting. He was right next to me and there was some hold up so we sat waiting for the next round of this dog and pony show. I turned to him and asked, "So how's by you." Bernie got a sly little grin that I came to recognize as a precursor of a joke. He replied, "H-h-how l-l-l-long ya g-g-g-got?" I nearly fell out of my chair. Another time, I ask "So how's the family?" He lit up and said, "Harriet's fine but those kids" and stopped. He was waiting for the straight line. "What wrong with the kids?" "Well we were driving home and they were moaning about this and that so I told them to quit their whining and they told me "But dad we're Weiners." We all know Bernie was devoted to his family and very much in love with Harriet. He will be truly missed.
  • Anita S. Blom: I thought I was the only one who stuttered until I was 27. When I found I there was a whole world of people who stutter out there, I was so full of emotions, and so full of questions. And there you were. Bernie. You glued me together with your wisdom, your humor. You showed me the way and challenged me out of my comfort zone.

    When I finally met you, you had just won an award. But remaining the kind, humble, funny person staying in the background. Instead people gathered around you. You were flirtatious, but in a cheeky way that made us laugh and feel better, knowing your family was your everything, with Harriet being your rock, and you were "stamily" to so many.

    Until the very end you were you, kind, funny, thankful, optimistic, trying to make people feel good, and not worry about you (although you must have felt anger, frustration, sadness, and have a million questions yourself), and you made a decision that showed your true strength.

    We're not done talking, Bernie. And I still want that dance. So I'll see you on the other side, somewhere at a ball game, surrounded by loads of pretty angles, dogs, family, friends and groupies. Until then, I send you Swedish/Dutch huggies, Anita.

  • Gloria Klumb: I met Bernie online when I bought my first desktop computer. It took him a year to convince me to go to my first NSA conference. But he did it. 2001 Boston was my first conference. About two days before the conference I sent him an email with a whole list of questions. I never flew before and really didn't like speaking to strangers. My questions were, how do I find my suitcase once I land, how do I find the shuttle, questions like that. Bernie wrote back with one word "ASK"

    I was so upset, he talked me into going to this thing called a conference. And that's all he said. ASK! Well I fooled him. I wrote all my questions on paper.

    Bernie you were the best. So caring, so understanding. Now you can educate the angels about stuttering. Love you. Your favorite Cheese-Head Gloria Klumb - November 19

More Opportunities to Post Tributes and Memories of Bernie Weiner

  • Judy Kuster: Bernie (and his wife Harriet) were both good friends online, I met them often at NSA conferences, and they very supportive of my Stuttering Home Page and ISAD online conference efforts. A few examples
    • Support for the ISAD online conference. Harriet and Bernie wrote papers for the conference.
      • Bernie Weiner and Russ Hicks co-wrote a Shady Trailers Hats Off To Thee ISAD online conference 2002
      • Views From a Wife by Harriet Weiner, ISAD 1998 (Harriet also presented on this topic at NSA conferences)
      • Bernie participated in the ISAD 2005 conference where undergraduate students in my class collected examples of Support Group Activities
      • Bernie was among the ExtraOrdinary People Who Stutter were willing to develop an email relationship with several undergraduate students in a communication disorders program at Minnesota State University, Mankato, many of whom had never had an opportunity to meet or communicate with a person who stutters. Short interviews were included in ISAD 2006
      Not only did they write papers, they also read several papers and wrote comments and questions of other presenters.
    • Other contributions on The Stuttering Home Page
  • MS, A former Shady Trails camper who attended a Shady Trails reunion where he met Bernie, posted the following about Bernie on the Shady Trails yahoo group: "He was one of the kindest, warmest, most sincere and dedicated alumni that I met during our reunions. Bernie was the kind of person that you immediately knew was a true gentleman and one that so many loved and admired. I miss him so much even though I did not have the opportunity to develop our friendship. Bernie was and always will be a cherished member of our Shady Trails community." MS also shared additional URLs where friends can read and post tributes to Bernie:

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