MONTROSE — Peacefully on Sept. 1, 2009, Bernie passed away at the age of 91 years with his youngest daughter by his side, at his Spring Creek Mesa home of 51 years.
Eternally blessed for sharing his life with his love, smile, laughter and many bright memories are his son, Glen; daughter, Joan Lansdell (Robert); daughter, Jean Sammons (Donald); and his four grandchildren: Lydia Lei Johnson-Taylor, Sean Baldwin, Alexander Lansdell and great-grandson, Kenai Taylor.
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His passing will be mourned by his brother, Charles Hast (Shirley) and many nephews and nieces, family and life-long friends.
Bernie liked a challenge.
He was born April 28, 1918 to August Carl Christopher Hast and Ida Frederika Sophia (Schepler) at Chester, Neb. At a young age, Bernie, his six sisters, three brothers and his parents moved to Colorado and purchased a farm near Brighton. They later moved to Berthoud, Colo. where Bernie attended and graduated from Berthoud High School.
Bernie enlisted in the US Navy Feb. 12, 1938. He was in the engine room of the USS Maryland stationed at Pearl Harbor during the infamous attack. Inboard of the USS Oklahoma, the Colorado-class battleship was protected from the initial torpedo attack. Despite two bomb hits she continued to fire and, after the attack, sent firefighting parties to assist her sister ships. He played on the Maryland’s football team that captured a fleet championship. He served the Navy until Dec. 12, 1947; retiring as a Chief Petty Officer.
Bernie married Leila Sloan Jan. 10, 1942 and later divorced. He married Erma Pospisil Jan. 7, 1949.
Bernie was a farmer for much of his 91 years, first on his parent’s farm, then as a dairy milk producer in Brighton and Boulder, Colo. Subsequently he and Erma, his partner of 52 years, raised a variety of row crops and managed a registered Black Angus cow-calf operation on their continually improved 120-acre Montrose farm. Their pastures and corrals were also home to one of the first llama herds in western Colorado. Bernie loved working on his farm. Bernie and Erma dug a 20 foot water well by hand, cleared land, built fences and remodeled a 100-year-old farm home. He learned horse training, taxidermy, carpentry and electrical wiring by correspondence courses. He was always inventive and creative when it came to figuring things out. The farm has been a work in progress; he was very driven and wanted it to be just so. Bernie was equally a supporter of Erma’s working career and interests.
While committed to his farm and family, he also pursued a career with the US Postal Service in Montrose. Beginning as a temporary letter carrier, Bernie retired as the first merit Postmaster in Montrose.
Bernie was a tall, open-handed, open-hearted, generous soul; a ready and informed wit with apt illustrations. Bernie delighted far more in helping somebody than in looking out for himself. A neighbor brightened up a mile off if he saw him coming. Many, many times Bernie would leave his own crops waiting to be harvested in the fields and leave to help a neighbor. He might have sounded a little gruff at times, but he had a good heart.
Bernie was an active member of Zion Lutheran for more than 50 years. He will be remembered for his avid love of gardening –including properly planting and caring for trees– and travel. He and Erma traveled world-wide in their retirement and Bernie even participated in an Earthwatch sponsored field study to Tierra del Fuego at the edge of the world. During Bernie’s free time, you would find him reading, and he never lost his excellent memory of his life.
At his request, cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering and reception will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at Zion Lutheran Church, 701 South Junction Avenue.
The family wishes to express their earnest gratitude to Dr. Mary Mebane, nurses and caregivers at Alpine Home Health and Hospice, and Martha LeCocq and Lori Hunter for their compassionate care.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Please remember him with goodwill. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Bernie’s memory to a choice of Christ’s Kitchen or Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado or Western Colorado’s Valley Symphony Association c/o Jean Sammons, 550 Pierce, Montrose, CO 81403.
Hands that are large and tough from years of rugged, outdoor work.
Hands that are versatile, planting a fence post and swiping a fistful of asparagus from a nearby ditch bank.
Hands that clasp themselves habitually in prayer, giving thanks for food, rain, sun, soil, health, and a newborn calf.
Hands that are strong, squeezing out a pail full of milk or carrying hay and water to hungry, thirsty farm creatures.
Hands that are tired from over a half century of tilling, planting, weeding, harvesting.
Hands that we love, our father’s. At peace now.
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