• "My father died many years ago, and yet when something special happens to me, I talk to him secretly not really knowing whether he hears, but it makes me feel better to half believe it." -- Natasha Josefowitz
My
dad
was
my hero.
He
would have been
91 years old
today
February 26.
He was child number 10
born
to August and Clara Berner
He was a goofy looking kid,
sickly
and
somewhat small
but
he
was
really
smart.
From
Stanford Medical School
he joined
the Navy
in 1942
(this was the post card he sent home
after
being sworn in)
was the "doc"
on a Naval Troop ship during WWII
After
After
being injured
when his
ship was
blown up
he
was
sent
to
Treasure Island
(across from San Francisco).
He met and married
my mom,
Betty.
He
was the
first
Plastic Surgeon
on the
SF peninsula.
He had
brilliant hands -
they were
large, warm,
talented
and safe
He was my hero
Pop
encouraged
and
helped me
through
the bad times
and
celebrated with me
through
the good
He thought
that
children
were
God's blessings
and to
be a parent
was the greatest
gift imaginable
He celebrated
his
grandchildren
(as they were my gifts)
and he
celebrated
my
happiness
in
marrying
my best friend,
John.
Pop
was a
renowned
surgeon
He
was kind-
a humanitarian
with a
heart of gold.
He
was
my hero.
Happy Birthday,
Pop!
