Dr. Paul P. Bernard

Dr. Paul P. Bernard, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.  Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Paul was the son of the late Oscar and Margit (Fuchs) Bernard.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Mary (Jones) Bernard in 2012.

Paul’s family immigrated to America in 1939, settling in New York.  Paul eventually moved to Denver, Colorado, and attended the University of Denver, where he met his wife.  He went on to earn his Doctorate degree from the University of Colorado in 1952.  He was a professor of history at Colorado College in Colorado Springs until 1968, then moved to continue teaching history at the University of Illinois until his retirement.  On his last day of teaching, his three children surprised him and attended his last class.  Paul wrote extensively about the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and European history in general.  He loved to travel, especially to Europe, and was fluent in many languages.  In 2008, Paul moved to central Pennsylvania to spend his last years with his dear friend and companion, Nancy Hess.

Paul is survived by three children:  Steven Bernard & wife Molly of Denver, CO, James Bernard & wife Joy of Yelm, WA and Alison Seyler & husband Keith of Colorado Springs, CO; four grandsons - Nicholas Seyler and Alex Seyler of Denver, CO, Zachary Bernard & wife Anika of Tacoma, WA, and Jacob Bernard of Brooklyn, NY.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Elizabethtown, PA.

Contributions may be made to Masonic Village Hospice, 1 Masonic Dr., Elizabethtown, PA 17022.

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