Michael Bernd

Michael Jon Bernd went joyously to heaven on July 30, 2015 after a courageous fight with brain cancer. Michael was born in Lake Geneva, WI to Calvin and Dorothy Bernd on March 11, 1953. They moved to Madison when Michael was eight. He completed his education there, where he participated on the high school and college swim teams and earned a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy. He developed a love for skiing and so his first job took him to Casper, WY, a place he dearly loved. He worked as a physical therapist for Natrona County Memorial Hospital, and after earning a Master's degree from the University of WI LaCrosse in 1983, he and Dr. Wesley Hiser developed the first cardiac rehab program for the state of Wyoming. Because of his adventurous nature he worked as a traveling physical therapist in the states of Pennsylvania, California, New Mexico and Alaska. He met the love of his life, Lois Hilgart, in Anchorage. They later married in Wisconsin and felt extremely blessed to have spent 26 years together. Michael had a passion for helping people, a love of nature and outdoor activities, and lived each day to the fullest. His positive, happy spirit was so immense it was infectious and, as one former patient said, "Michael was the person we all want to be". He was a master physical therapist, and he received the Doris Chaffin Award in 2015 for exceptional support of the practice of Physical Therapy in the state of WY. Michael was a loving and devoted husband, generous neighbor, avid Green Bay Packer fan, and he cherished his country. He was a skydiving enthusiast, completing nearly 1000 jumps. He also loved snorkeling, riding his motorcycle, and reading. Michael found many ways to give back to the Casper Mountain community he loved. He was part of the team that provided sound for the annual Midsummer's Eve celebration at Crimson Dawn. He was a good neighbor who loved to share his help and entertaining stories. He had been a member of the Casper Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. He stepped forward when Casper Mountain was threatened by the Mountain Pine Beetle. Michael served on the Casper Mountain Forest Stewardship Association board of directors and coordinated forest protection. He was actively involved with Arbor Day on the mountain. Michael is survived by his wife Lois, his mother, Dorothy, his beloved brother Steve and sister-in-law Jan Bernd, nephew Tom Bernd (Stacey) and their children Emily and Adam. He also has countless friends and former patients who will forever remember and be inspired by him. Michael's generous nature can be shared with the Casper Humane Society, Central Wyoming Rescue Mission, Wyoming Foundation for Cancer Care, Central Wyoming Hospice or the Michael J Bernd Memorial Fund in care of Hilltop National Bank in Casper, WY. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on August 27, 2015 at the Nordic Ski Lodge on Casper Mountain.

Service

Thursday, August 27, 2015 4:00pm