Bernhard E. Deichmann ’58

Bern died June 22, 2017, from liver cancer.

He graduated from Brooklyn Technical (N.Y.) High School. At Princeton, Bern majored in mechanical engineering and was a member of Elm Club. Tom Hall was his senior-year roommate.

After graduation and a short stint in the Army, he joined DeLaval in Trenton, N.J. DeLaval manufactured turbines, compressors, and pumps for the oil and gas industries. In 1961, Bern married Joan Van Emburgh.

In 1971, the family moved to the Netherlands, where Bern helped establish a Dutch-American joint venture, DeLaval-Stork. They returned to the United States in 1980, and after 30 years with DeLaval, he left to become CEO of Schulmerich Bells, a manufacturer of hand bells, chimes, and electric carillons.

After his retirement in 2004, Bern dedicated his time to the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA. His achievements included being recognized as the 2013 Distinguished German-American of the Year and receiving the Cross of the Order of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2015. Bern enjoyed gardening, photography, and classical music.

To his wife of more than 55 years, Joan; son Walter; daughters Evelynn, Robin, and Holly ’94; and his 10 grandchildren, the class extends its condolences.