ORONO – Earl “Bernie” Berntson, 78, died March 11, 2007, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. He was born in Chicago, the son of Carl A. Berntson and Olga Helgeson. He attended Bradley University, Peoria, Ill., graduating with a Bachelor of Science in graphic design. He entered the U.S. Air Force through ROTC at Bradley University and was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduating. His first posting was in Germany, where he met his wife, Klare, on a visit to the Tate Gallery, London. He was then posted to the Dow Field Air Force Base, BOMARC site, as a missile refueling officer. His extensive military career included being Officer of the Day at Elmendorf Air Force Base on Good Friday, 1964; the day of the Alaskan Earthquake, the second largest earthquake ever recorded. Additional posting included Brooklyn Air Force Base, NATO and Lindsey Air Station, Wiesbaden, Germany. He retired from the Air Force to Glenburn, eventually settling in Orono. He was a lover of history, a well-known film aficionado, a voracious reader and a Volkswagen buff. His favorite place on earth was the “chalet” on Pushaw Lake. He will be sadly missed by his family; wife, Klare Berntson of Orono; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Teresa Berntson of Medford, Mass.; “adopted daughter,” Ruth Dodge of Orono; nephew, Robert and his wife, Laura Berntson, of Toronto, Canada; niece, Barbara Berntson of Warrenton, Va.; sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Berntson of Warrenton, Va.; sister and brother-in-law, Hete and Hans Rump of Kassel, Germany; close friends, Joe Jones of Bangor, Paul Zebiak of Brewer, Laurie Nichols of Troy and Sylvia “Tillie” Dodge of Orono. He was predeceased by his older brother, Carl A. Berntson. The family would like to thank the staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home for their excellent care. Relatives and friends are welcome to call noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Brookings-Smith, LaBeau Chapel, 72 Main St., Orono. A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St., Orono, with the Rev. Lorna Stuart, pastor, officiating. Interment with full military honors will be held at a later date at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. Gifts in his memory may be sent to the Orono Public Library, 18 Goodridge Dr., Orono, ME 04473.
MAJ. EARL ‘BERNIE’ R. BERNTSON
