Bernard R Diamond

On Tuesday, July 26, 2011 Bernie made his final curtain call.

Bernard R. Diamond was born May 22, 1922 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Harry and Anna Erlich Diamond.

He married his high school sweetheart, VerBena Mae Brostrom on January 31, 1940. Bernie and Bennie cut class and eloped to the Farmington Courthouse, making it back before school ended for the day. Fifty years later they renewed their vows at the Coco Palms resort in Kauai with all of their family. They were married for 61 years until Bennie''s death in November of 2000.

Bernie was called by some an "Ogden Icon". As the former Executive and Director of the Ogden Chamber of Commerce and Weber County Industrial Bureau, he located companies and organizations in Ogden which provided more than 10,000 jobs, including the Thiokol Corporation''s Rocket Operations, for which he served as Customer and Government Relations Director for 20 years. He was one of the founders of the Management and Training Corporation. He retired as Senior Vice President and Board Director Emeritus in 2000. Following his retirement, he began his new career as an actor and model.

Bernie served as a member of the Ogden City Council and was assistant Mayor in 1996, when he accepted a Federal Government Appointment as National Director of Community Relations for the Poverty Agency in the office of the President in Washington D.C. In 2006, he received the "R. Sergeant Shriver" award for outstanding service to the Job Corps Program for 40 years, which was presented at a luncheon in the U.S. Capitol.

At the end of World War II, Bernie was sent to France to await his trip home. It was here that he developed his love of acting and performed in several plays. Bennie was anxious for his return home and he put his acting career on hold until his retirement. He had several appearances in "Touched by an Angel", a co-starring role in "Everwood" and featured roles in movies including, "Firestarter II", "Charley", "Out of Step", "Baptists at Our Barbeque", "Take a Chance" and many others. Bernie also played Old Man Winter in the Questar gas commercials. Bernie was also featured in many print ads, commercials and voiceovers. He had a deep love for theatre arts and the film industry.

Traveling the world was Bernie and Bennie''s passion. They traveled extensively, taking their children and grandchildren with them to many wonderful places. They instilled in all of us the desire to see the world and a great love for their favorite place, Maui. He also loved golfing, playing cards with friends, noodles from Uncle Leo''s, contests, game shows, his old cronies, and his infamous jumpsuits.

Bernie left a true legacy of accomplishment and desire to achieve goals. He taught his family that nothing is out of your reach and that you can do anything. He lived an incredible adventure and will be greatly missed by many.

Bernie was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He is survived by his son, Richard and Peggy Diamond, of Pleasant View; daughter, Judie Diamond and husband Donald Eddy of Ogden, who compassionately cared for him until the end; and daughter, Susan and Reid Graser, of Litchfield Park, AZ; 13 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, VerBena and a grandson, Matthew Diamond.

Special thank you and gratitude to Bernie''s "Wednesday Coffee Group" who lunched at the Athenian for many years, neighbors, Ute and Elsie Akasada for their care and friendship, and a very special thank you to Steve and Adele Kammeyer for being devoted Home Teachers for many years.

In lieu of flowers, make a donation to a charity of choice.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 1st at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

The family will meet with friends on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd., where Military Honors will be accorded.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com