Bernie, 69, died Oct. 16, 2013, in Eagle, Idaho. He was born July 6, 1944, in the Red River Valley of Minnesota.

He joined the Navy immediately after high school graduation and was based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as well as aboard the USS Chipola in Vietnam.

Bernie attended the University of Montana but launched a career jumping at Missoula, during the 1969-94 seasons. Following retirement, he and his wife traveled around the world twice.