Bernard E. Bernstein

Bernard E. Bernstein, 92, passed away on May 19, 2023. Bernie, his older sister Frieda and his twin, Claire, grew up in the close knit Weequahic neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. Their parents, Joseph and Bertha Eichler Bernstein, were new Americans, recently arrived from Hungary. Bernie received a scholarship to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and, upon graduation, served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer during the Korean War. Bernie attended New York University School of Law until he met and married a Knoxville native, Barbara Winick. The couple moved to Knoxville which became Bernie’s lifelong home. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1958 and began his law practice. He founded the firm now known as Bernstein, Stair and McAdams. His storied 54-year career covered a vast array of legal disciplines. As a young lawyer, Bernie took on sometimes unpopular challenges and won important victories in criminal, First Amendment and voting rights law. He was frequently involved in the pursuit of civil rights, at a time when civil rights were difficult to defend. He was known for his skill in the fields of business and commercial law, serving as a crucial player in the development of Knoxville. He represented the developer of West Town Mall and expedited its creation. He was counsel for Clayton Homes, Proffitt’s Department Store and Whittle Communications and was on the Board of Directors of Saks Fifth Avenue. Lawyers and clients with difficult issues, including domestic relations, turned to Bernie. He was known for his fairness and even-keeled disposition and often was chosen as a conflict mediator. At one time, he mediated monthly meetings between U.T. students and staff to come to resolution. His efforts in the practice of law, which he loved, came with recognition. He was elected a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, American Bar Foundation and the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was also a recipient of the Knoxville Bar Association’s highest honor, its Governors Award. His commitment to the provision of legal assistance for those who could not afford to hire an attorney earned him the first induction into Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s Donald F. Paine Memorial Pro Bono Hall of Fame, which honored both Bernie and Don Paine, a cherished colleague. The community looked to Bernie for leadership, and he accepted. He was a president of the Knoxville Bar Association. He was elected and served as a delegate to the 1977 Tennessee Constitutional Convention. In 1988, at the request of Mayor Victor Ashe, he chaired an advisory review board (called the Bernstein Commission) to improve relations between Knoxville residents and the Knoxville Police Department, which resulted in the establishment of the Police Advisory & Review Committee (PARC). He participated in other volunteer organizations, too numerous to mention. He worked to strengthen the University of Tennessee. He was one of the founders of the College of Law Legal Aid Clinic and served as an adjunct professor. Later he was active in the development efforts of the College of Law and was Chair of the University’s Chancellor’s Associates. Bernie’s service on the Board of directors of UT Medical Center was one of his most impactful and gratifying endeavors. He was elected the Board’s Chair and served for 12 years. During that time the Medical Center gained independence from the university and grew exponentially to become one of the leading hospitals in Tennessee. He was a devoted and active participant in the Jewish community. Bernie was a two-time Chair of the Board of Trustees of Heska Amuna Synagogue and served a term as its president. He took on important roles as campaign chair of the United Jewish Appeal in Knoxville and the region. He was appointed by Governor Lamar Alexander as the first Chair of the Tennessee Holocaust Commission. Bernie loved all of life. He was an enthusiastic Volunteer basketball and football fan. He and Barbara loved and supported the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and the Knoxville Museum of Art. He could always tell an entertaining story and children and adults loved to listen. He found time for it all. Bernie did all these things with fairness, dignity and a sense of humor. But most of all he was a constantly loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor and friend. He will be terribly missed. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Barbara Winick Bernstein, daughter Barri Bernstein of Nashville, son Mark Bernstein (Tanya) and adored grandchildren Rachel, Benjamin and Arielle, all of San Francisco, his sister Frieda Ostrowsky of Millburn, New Jersey and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bernie’s memory may be made to three organizations close to his heart, Legal Aid of East Tennessee (laet.org), The University of Tennessee Medical Center (utmedicalcenter.org), or Heska Amuna Synagogue (heskaamuna.org). The funeral will be Monday, May 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm, E.T. at Rose Funeral & Cremation – Mann with Rabbi Lynn Liberman officiating. The service will be streamed live on the funeral home’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RoseMannHeritage. The graveside service will immediately follow at New Jewish Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Bernard E. Bernstein

February 3, 1931 - May 19, 2023