Obituary of Robert F. Berner, Ph.D.
Robert Frank Berner, Ph.D., of Williamsville, New York, passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2018. Robert was born on November 30, 1917, in Cleveland, OH, to Marie and Frank Berner. He graduated from Kenmore High School (Buffalo, NY) in 1932, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Buffalo in 1939, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Buffalo in 1948 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business in 1961. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and received an honorable discharge from service in 1945. He was a Captain in the 616th Field Artillery Battalion, U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, during World War II. He fought in the Italian theatre and was awarded both the Bronze and Silver Star for Gallantry in Action near Monzambani, Italy. He married the former Ruth Levis on November 6, 1943, in Palmyra, NY. He is survived by two sons and a daughter, Robert Frank Berner, Jr. and wife Susan (deceased) of Chicago, IL, their children, Julie and Steve; John David Berner and wife Cathy of Dunkirk, NY, their children, Jennifer, Jocelyn, Jacqueline, and Jillian; and Mary Berner Griffin and husband Don of Franklin, TN, their children, Tracey and Abbey. He has 14 great-grandchildren, all of whom he was most proud. He was preceded in death by his parents (Marie and Frank), his sister (Charlotte), his wife (Ruth), and his daughter (Jean).
He was a Professor at the University of Buffalo in the School of Management. He retired as a Professor Emeritus in the School of Management and also served as University Dean at the Division of Continuing Education (Millard Fillmore College at SUNY Buffalo). His love of country was surpassed only by his passion and love of his family and his commitment to education. Many of those he assisted during his years as Dean have gone on to achieve further success in business and industry.
A celebration of life service will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church in the summer of 2019. Burial will follow at Calvary Episcopal Church. Memorials may be made to Calvary Episcopal Church (20 Milton Street, Williamsville, NY 14221) or to the UB School of Management Robert Berner Fund, c/o UB Foundation, PO Box 900, NY 14226.
