In 1968 a bunch of University of Oregon kids were thrown together in apartments around 15th and Hilyard, just off campus. Bernie had met some of these students through Alpha Kappa Psi, UO’s business fraternity. We all had a blast partying, celebrating, eating, drinking and occasionally studying together. Most Monday nights we got together to watch “Laugh-In,” where cast members would say to each other, “You turkey!” We picked up the habit, and soon we were calling ourselves the “Turkeys.” Many of us inter-married, so we were able to continue getting together even after graduation. Our Turkey Reunions started out...naturally...on Thanksgiving weekends. As the years passed, with the birth of babies and moves to other cities, it became difficult to meet regularly, but we always kept in touch, and even managed to have a Turkey Reunion every now and then. Of course, after nearly five decades, some of our group have passed on. Ten of us will be representing the Turkeys at Bernie’s Celebration of Life to honor the sweetest Turkey of all.

As the child of parents, who left their home country to provide their only child Bernd with opportunities unavailable in post war Austria, Bernd became an American citizen, but carried his parents’ undying love of Austria.  

Bernd’s father Albert came from very humble means. His father, a blacksmith, died when he was young, leaving a wife with three young sons.  Albert, the youngest was a baby. He was exceptionally intelligent, outgoing, proud, and very good looking. When he became a young adult, he lived in Vienna, and was hired as a ‘clapper’ for the Opera.  He secretly cued the audience when to clap, by clapping at the carefully scripted times.  Thanks to that opportunity, Albert became familiar with all of the popular operatic performances of the day.  His job helped him pay for his boarding house room, and his education.  That opportunity planted the seeds of a lifelong love and appreciation for opera and the arts. It also gave a poor widow’s son access to a network of people from the upper classes, some of whom (counts and countesses) he called friends until his death.  

When they immigrated to the United States in 1951, the family of three had to focus their energies on learning to speak English and Albert had to find a job.  He could no longer work as a skilled electrical engineer; his English was not good enough.  He was hired as a lowly meter reader at the public utility.  With a will to learn, an optimistic attitude and good humor, he thrived and eventually headed the department and taught metering at the University of Washington's summer training classes, for many years.
He was able to provide for his family as they each earned  their American citizenship.  The family was eventually able to save the money to pay cash for their own home in Eugene, where Bernd lived during his teen years.   

Bernd attended the University of Oregon and fulfilled his parents dream of succeeding in America. The family no longer had access to the great opera and symphony halls of Europe, but they never missed the televised OPB New Years’ concerts from Vienna, or watching Great Performances. 
When I married Bernie, it became an integral part of my life as well.   

Through the years, it has been a great privilege for Bernd & I to attend so many wonderful productions put on by the Portland Opera and the Oregon Symphony. Thanks to Bernd’s position with Wells Fargo and their ongoing sponsorship and support of the arts, and our own private attendance, we have been blessed with more memorable experiences than I could count.   

We could never claim the level of knowledge of music Bernd’s father acquired, but Bernd continued to advocate for funding for the Opera, the symphony and the study and opportunity to have access to the arts, for the remainder of his working career and life.  

Bernd never had children of his own; he was the last of his small, Austrian-American family. Albert, Erika, and their son Bernd, who was so like his father, are together again now. How very fitting that the Portland Opera should honor Bernd's life, with the music of his birth country, at his 'Celebration of Life.' I'm sure the three Kronbergers will we watching and enjoying it together. 

I would like to sincerely thank Director Christopher Mattaliano, Sue Dixon, and all of the staff and performers of the Portland Opera for honoring my precious husband with this wonderful surprise.  (Click on picture for full photo)

As a neighbor Bernie always took an interest in my and Carol’s life. He was a generous person. He was always concerned about the well being of people around him. But most of all I remembered that he liked to be the comedian in any situation.  I especially remember the time with my Mother on her birthday. This is the picture that comes to mind when I think of him.  
Carol & Nitu