Bernard A. Century's Obituary
Bernard A. Century died on his 91st birthday, May 12, 2017, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the beloved husband of Evelyn Century (nee Coodin), who passed away in March 2017, father of Janet and Lucas “Larry” and grandfather of Peter. Born into a progressive Jewish family in Chicago on May 12 1926, Bernard spoke Yiddish as his first language, excelled in the Chicago public school system and was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. His younger brother, Jack Century, recalled in a memoir: “After passing stiff physical, medical and intelligence tests, my brother Bernie was selected for the elite V-12 Navy College Training Program. Following an early high school graduation in 1943, Bernie was assigned to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, then his unit was transferred to Notre Dame where he graduated in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy before his 20th birthday.” Assigned to active duty in Hawaii, Bernard was discharged shortly after V-J Day, then earned his Master of Science at the University of Notre Dame in 1947. By 1948—still only 22—Bernard was teaching engineering at the University of Illinois. He worked as manager of research and development at Hewitt Robins Inc., in Passaic, New Jersey; project engineer at Cleveland Trencher; and manager of product development at Allied Steel & Tractor where he invented and patented the vibratory impact hammer. Bernard eventually founded his own company, Rexrock, Inc., to invent and market a hand-pressurized hydraulic rock splitter. He was known for his good humor and patience, enjoyed playing tennis and walking. He loved attending the theater and orchestra with Evelyn—a fellow World War II veteran—to whom he was married for more than 66 years.
Graveside Service Monday May 15th, 3:00 PM at Lake View Cemetery (near Daffodil Hill in the Suburban Temple Kol Ami section). Friends and family will gather at the Mayfield entrance and proceed to the burial site at 2:50 PM. Memorial service and reception at Judson Manor Penthouse, 1890 East 107th St., Cleveland 44106 immediately following burial until 7:00 PM. Janet and Lucas will be receiving friends and relatives on Tuesday May 16th at 14201 Larchmere Boulevard, Shaker Hts. 44120, the home of Alan and Erica. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations suggested to Hospice of the Western Reserve.
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