Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com>
on 13/Jan/2024
71.223.162.184
Bernon "Bernie" Chamberlin left this world January 10, 2024,
in Rochester, New York. He was 97. The only child of Helen
and Weldon Chamberlin, Bernie was born and raised in
Newburgh, New York. After graduating high school he enlisted
in the US Navy. As a young recruit he volunteered for an
undisclosed, hazardous mission that ultimately took him
behind enemy lines in occupied China to install radio
equipment in anticipation of the Allied invasion of Japan.
He served stateside in the US Army during the Korean war.
Bernie had a lifelong love of learning. A combination of
educational opportunities while in the military and GI
benefits after the War allowed him to attend a number of
colleges to study engineering and architecture. After
receiving his degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
he was hired as an architect by the firm of J. Russell White
in Albany, New York. He remained there for his entire
career, working his way up to become the firm's widely
admired senior partner under the name Dodge, Chamberlin,
Luzine, Weber - a practice that continues today in Troy, New
York, as Mosaic Associates Architects. He was a generous
mentor to several generations of architects and
professionals in New York's Capital District. An avid skier,
one of his many career highlights included designing dozens
of sports facilities to ready Lake Placid for the 1980
Winter Olympics. Among other things, they affixed nets on
Whiteface to catch downhill racers and figured out how to
design biathlon targets from scratch.
He
was the husband of Lorraine "Lorrie" Pray of Whitehall, New
York. Married in 1949, they shared a deeply devoted and
loving marriage for 74 years. Lorrie was the shining center
of his life. He always held that she was the source of all
that was good in his world. As he put it in one of the many
thoughtful notes he'd leave for her, "What do I say for a
full and happy life? A full and happy life, only because you
chose to share yours with me." After retiring in 1991,
Bernie and Lorrie started in on adventurous travel regimen.
Their journeys took them to the Baltics, China, India,
Nepal, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, and throughout Europe. There
were annual skiing trips to the Alps and the American west
with a close circle of friends. He skied well into his 80s,
delighted to take advantage of free skiing at nearly every
resort. Bernie's life was as well lived as it was long. He
had a curious mind and wide-ranging intelligence. He was an
eager reader - juggling several books at a time - an
outstanding writer, and well known as a gifted speaker. His
toasts at family gatherings are the stuff of legend. He was
modest, honest, and conscientious. Rigorous and stoic by
nature, with little use for puffery, he was also
exceptionally gracious, funny and charming. Wherever he
landed he had an uncanny ability to build a community around
him, to make meaningful connections with people, to be
curious about and engaged in the lives of others. Bernie was
a great role model for his family, always happy to share his
life stories, writings and beautifully crafted scrapbooks
with grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Lorraine;
daughter Loron (and John) Oster, sons Bruce Chamberlin (and
David Glassman), and Keith (and Florence) Chamberlin;
grandchildren Rachel Oster (and Nick Kjolhede), Lorena (and
Scott) Pellegrini, John (and Samantha) Oster, Eli Chamberlin
(and Heather Hafey), Charlie Oster (and Lindsay Randall);
and great grandchildren Tomas, Theodore, Francesca, Charlie
and Angus. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks
to Rochester Regional Health Hospice and the entire staff at
Rochester's Episcopal Church Home, where Bernie spent his
last days and Lorrie still lives. Their skill and the
genuine care they provided made the very best of a difficult
time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of
Bernon Chamberlin to Rochester Regional Health Hospice,
Episcopal Senior Life Communities and the Choroideremia
Research Foundation
A private memorial is scheduled for later in January. He
will be interred at the Saratoga National Cemetery.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Bernon,
please visit our Tree Store. - March 23, 1926-January 10,
2024
Bernon "Bernie" Chamberlin left this world January 10, 2024,
in Rochester, New York. He was 97. The only child of Helen
and Weldon Chamberlin, Bernie was born and raised in
Newburgh, New York. After graduating high school he enlisted
in the US Navy. As a young recruit he volunteered for an
undisclosed, hazardous mission that ultimately took him
behind enemy lines in occupied China to install radio
equipment in anticipation of the Allied invasion of Japan.
He served stateside in the US Army during the Korean war.
Bernie had a lifelong love of learning. A combination of
educational opportunities while in the military and GI
benefits after the War allowed him to attend a number of
colleges to study engineering and architecture. After
receiving his degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
he was hired as an architect by the firm of J. Russell White
in Albany, New York. He remained there for his entire
career, working his way up to become the firm's widely
admired senior partner under the name Dodge, Chamberlin,
Luzine, Weber - a practice that continues today in Troy, New
York, as Mosaic Associates Architects. He was a generous
mentor to several generations of architects and
professionals in New York's Capital District. An avid skier,
one of his many career highlights included designing dozens
of sports facilities to ready Lake Placid for the 1980
Winter Olympics. Among other things, they affixed nets on
Whiteface to catch downhill racers and figured out how to
design biathlon targets from scratch.