Matt Devine
Before many of us unlimited hydroplane racing fans met Bernie for the first time, we were attempting to put together a radio-controlled model-unlimited-hydro racing circuit. Hank had his Miss U.S. 1 up and running, but the rest of us were struggling to get a boat onto the water and to run more than a lap at a time. So in the pit tower at what was probably a Unlimited Detroit meeting in about 1970, Bernie and Don Gold showed up, introduced themselves, and showed us their ready-to-race Maverick and Thriftway Too. All of a sudden, we had a racing circuit. And the times we had with that, and with each other for years thereafter.
Rest in peace, big man. You were a good friend to all of us.