Bernhardt Tiede was born in Olganówka, Volhynia, Ukraine/Russia on April 27, 1912 to Friedrich Tiede (1880-1943) and the former Maria Obst (born in 1882). Both his parents, although Russian-born, were of German descent and, as did most of the descendants of the German citizens who immigrated from Germany to Russia in the late 18th century at the invitation of Tsarina Catherine the Great, herself a Hessian with a strong desire to infuse the Russian people with good, strong Teutonic blood, considered themselves to be German. The 18th century immigrants and their descendants made little-to-no effort over the next century to assimilate into the Russian way of life. These families continued to speak the German language in their daily lives, practice the Lutheran faith, and observe the traditions and holidays of Germany. Most, though, were wise enough to speak in the Russian language whenever dealing with Russian officials.
Bernhardt was only one year old when his parents pulled up stakes and moved to West Prussia where they lived for 13 years until October 13, 1926, when they booked passage to the USA. Sailing out of Bremen, Germany, the Tiede family arrived at the port of New York on October 22. They chose to settle in Rochester, New York.
Out of the norm for many immigrants seeking a better life in the United States, everyone in the Tiede family firmly believed in higher education. They also embraced the practice of the social graces.
As a youngster, Bernhardt exhibited an extraordinary singing talent, a gift which would take him far. He was only in his teens when he discovered a passion for sculpting. His pieces showed such promise, the high school he attended provided him with his own exhibition. His aspiration at that time, though, was to become an architect.
Maturity, talent, and possibly limited job opportunities for architects, led Bernhardt to pursue his most promising God-given talent: that of a classical singer. His fine baritone voice opened many doors to him, most notably being the front door of the nation's finest and most respected institute for the study of music - the renowned Julliard School of Music in New York City. One of the hopeful students he was in competition against for a highly-coveted slot in Julliard was folk singer Berle Ives who went on to achieve wealth and fame as not only a singer but also as an actor and author.
While serving in Marseille, France with the United States Army, Bernhardt studied sculpting technique. He continued to sculpt for the rest of his life, using it as a means of relaxation.
Bernhardt Tiede became a respected music educator, holding positions on the teaching staffs at such institutions of higher learning as Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas; Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas where he chaired the department of music, and at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas where he was director of the McMurry Chanters. In Abilene, Bernhardt also served as music director and vocal performer at his church. Prior to relocating to Texas with his wife, a former Miss Wilbur, in August of 1945, Bernhardt was a popular vocal performer and the director of the Waterloo Civic Chorus in Waterloo, Iowa.
He was admired by his students, not only for his fine singing voice but because of his kind, understanding demeanor. A man of even temperament, there was always a twinkle in his eyes which was made the more evident by his endearing sense of humor. Without fail, his smile always reached his eyes.
In 1957, at the age of 45, he married again, this time to 24-year-old Lela Mae Jester, a native of Louisiana, who was on the support staff at SMU.
After accepting the post at Kilgore College, the newlyweds, who were soon anticipating the birth of their first child together, relocated to Kilgore, Texas, an oil-rich town where the tall oil derricks could be found everywhere, even in front yards of houses lucky enough to be sitting on top of an enriching pool of liquid gold.
Over the next two-to-three years, their family grew to include Bernhard Tiede III, born in 1958, and Anna Maria Tiede, born in 1960.
Early in November 1961, Bernhardt and Lena were involved in a serious automobile accident. He was seriously injured and was hospitalized for some time. Lena, tragically, died from her injuries. She was taken to her native Louisiana for burial near her maternal grandmother.
In 1963, at age 51, Bernhardt Tiede found one last chance of happiness when he met and married Clara Kathryn Wiley, age 25, a native of Rusk County, Texas. The couple enjoyed a union of love and devotion for the next 10 years, until his untimely passing from brainstem necrosis on November 28, 1973 at Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene.
The lives Bernhardt Tiede touched through his multiple artistic talents, and his associations with his serious music students left positive, lifelong impacts on many. The affection and respect he earned from his students is something to which all educators aspire but which only a special few achieve.
Although gone these many years, his memory lingers strongly in those whose lives he touched.
ED. NOTE: Sincere appreciation is given to James Faulkenberry who originally created this memorial and who showed such a generous spirit by passing the torch to me. - BAH
Bernhardt was only one year old when his parents pulled up stakes and moved to West Prussia where they lived for 13 years until October 13, 1926, when they booked passage to the USA. Sailing out of Bremen, Germany, the Tiede family arrived at the port of New York on October 22. They chose to settle in Rochester, New York.
Out of the norm for many immigrants seeking a better life in the United States, everyone in the Tiede family firmly believed in higher education. They also embraced the practice of the social graces.
As a youngster, Bernhardt exhibited an extraordinary singing talent, a gift which would take him far. He was only in his teens when he discovered a passion for sculpting. His pieces showed such promise, the high school he attended provided him with his own exhibition. His aspiration at that time, though, was to become an architect.
Maturity, talent, and possibly limited job opportunities for architects, led Bernhardt to pursue his most promising God-given talent: that of a classical singer. His fine baritone voice opened many doors to him, most notably being the front door of the nation's finest and most respected institute for the study of music - the renowned Julliard School of Music in New York City. One of the hopeful students he was in competition against for a highly-coveted slot in Julliard was folk singer Berle Ives who went on to achieve wealth and fame as not only a singer but also as an actor and author.
While serving in Marseille, France with the United States Army, Bernhardt studied sculpting technique. He continued to sculpt for the rest of his life, using it as a means of relaxation.
Bernhardt Tiede became a respected music educator, holding positions on the teaching staffs at such institutions of higher learning as Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas; Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas where he chaired the department of music, and at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas where he was director of the McMurry Chanters. In Abilene, Bernhardt also served as music director and vocal performer at his church. Prior to relocating to Texas with his wife, a former Miss Wilbur, in August of 1945, Bernhardt was a popular vocal performer and the director of the Waterloo Civic Chorus in Waterloo, Iowa.
He was admired by his students, not only for his fine singing voice but because of his kind, understanding demeanor. A man of even temperament, there was always a twinkle in his eyes which was made the more evident by his endearing sense of humor. Without fail, his smile always reached his eyes.
In 1957, at the age of 45, he married again, this time to 24-year-old Lela Mae Jester, a native of Louisiana, who was on the support staff at SMU.
After accepting the post at Kilgore College, the newlyweds, who were soon anticipating the birth of their first child together, relocated to Kilgore, Texas, an oil-rich town where the tall oil derricks could be found everywhere, even in front yards of houses lucky enough to be sitting on top of an enriching pool of liquid gold.
Over the next two-to-three years, their family grew to include Bernhard Tiede III, born in 1958, and Anna Maria Tiede, born in 1960.
Early in November 1961, Bernhardt and Lena were involved in a serious automobile accident. He was seriously injured and was hospitalized for some time. Lena, tragically, died from her injuries. She was taken to her native Louisiana for burial near her maternal grandmother.
In 1963, at age 51, Bernhardt Tiede found one last chance of happiness when he met and married Clara Kathryn Wiley, age 25, a native of Rusk County, Texas. The couple enjoyed a union of love and devotion for the next 10 years, until his untimely passing from brainstem necrosis on November 28, 1973 at Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene.
The lives Bernhardt Tiede touched through his multiple artistic talents, and his associations with his serious music students left positive, lifelong impacts on many. The affection and respect he earned from his students is something to which all educators aspire but which only a special few achieve.
Although gone these many years, his memory lingers strongly in those whose lives he touched.
ED. NOTE: Sincere appreciation is given to James Faulkenberry who originally created this memorial and who showed such a generous spirit by passing the torch to me. - BAH
Bernhardt Tiede was born in Olganówka, Volhynia, Ukraine/Russia on April 27, 1912 to Friedrich Tiede (1880-1943) and the former Maria Obst (born in 1882). Both his parents, although Russian-born, were of German descent and, as did most of the descendants of the German citizens who immigrated from Germany to Russia in the late 18th century at the invitation of Tsarina Catherine the Great, herself a Hessian with a strong desire to infuse the Russian people with good, strong Teutonic blood, considered themselves to be German. The 18th century immigrants and their descendants made little-to-no effort over the next century to assimilate into the Russian way of life. These families continued to speak the German language in their daily lives, practice the Lutheran faith, and observe the traditions and holidays of Germany. Most, though, were wise enough to speak in the Russian language whenever dealing with Russian officials.
Bernhardt was only one year old when his parents pulled up stakes and moved to West Prussia where they lived for 13 years until October 13, 1926, when they booked passage to the USA. Sailing out of Bremen, Germany, the Tiede family arrived at the port of New York on October 22. They chose to settle in Rochester, New York.
Out of the norm for many immigrants seeking a better life in the United States, everyone in the Tiede family firmly believed in higher education. They also embraced the practice of the social graces.
As a youngster, Bernhardt exhibited an extraordinary singing talent, a gift which would take him far. He was only in his teens when he discovered a passion for sculpting. His pieces showed such promise, the high school he attended provided him with his own exhibition. His aspiration at that time, though, was to become an architect.
Maturity, talent, and possibly limited job opportunities for architects, led Bernhardt to pursue his most promising God-given talent: that of a classical singer. His fine baritone voice opened many doors to him, most notably being the front door of the nation's finest and most respected institute for the study of music - the renowned Julliard School of Music in New York City. One of the hopeful students he was in competition against for a highly-coveted slot in Julliard was folk singer Berle Ives who went on to achieve wealth and fame as not only a singer but also as an actor and author.
While serving in Marseille, France with the United States Army, Bernhardt studied sculpting technique. He continued to sculpt for the rest of his life, using it as a means of relaxation.
Bernhardt Tiede became a respected music educator, holding positions on the teaching staffs at such institutions of higher learning as Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas; Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas where he chaired the department of music, and at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas where he was director of the McMurry Chanters. In Abilene, Bernhardt also served as music director and vocal performer at his church. Prior to relocating to Texas with his wife, a former Miss Wilbur, in August of 1945, Bernhardt was a popular vocal performer and the director of the Waterloo Civic Chorus in Waterloo, Iowa.
He was admired by his students, not only for his fine singing voice but because of his kind, understanding demeanor. A man of even temperament, there was always a twinkle in his eyes which was made the more evident by his endearing sense of humor. Without fail, his smile always reached his eyes.
In 1957, at the age of 45, he married again, this time to 24-year-old Lela Mae Jester, a native of Louisiana, who was on the support staff at SMU.
After accepting the post at Kilgore College, the newlyweds, who were soon anticipating the birth of their first child together, relocated to Kilgore, Texas, an oil-rich town where the tall oil derricks could be found everywhere, even in front yards of houses lucky enough to be sitting on top of an enriching pool of liquid gold.
Over the next two-to-three years, their family grew to include Bernhard Tiede III, born in 1958, and Anna Maria Tiede, born in 1960.
Early in November 1961, Bernhardt and Lena were involved in a serious automobile accident. He was seriously injured and was hospitalized for some time. Lena, tragically, died from her injuries. She was taken to her native Louisiana for burial near her maternal grandmother.
In 1963, at age 51, Bernhardt Tiede found one last chance of happiness when he met and married Clara Kathryn Wiley, age 25, a native of Rusk County, Texas. The couple enjoyed a union of love and devotion for the next 10 years, until his untimely passing from brainstem necrosis on November 28, 1973 at Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene.
The lives Bernhardt Tiede touched through his multiple artistic talents, and his associations with his serious music students left positive, lifelong impacts on many. The affection and respect he earned from his students is something to which all educators aspire but which only a special few achieve.
Although gone these many years, his memory lingers strongly in those whose lives he touched.
ED. NOTE: Sincere appreciation is given to James Faulkenberry who originally created this memorial and who showed such a generous spirit by passing the torch to me. - BAH
Bernhardt was only one year old when his parents pulled up stakes and moved to West Prussia where they lived for 13 years until October 13, 1926, when they booked passage to the USA. Sailing out of Bremen, Germany, the Tiede family arrived at the port of New York on October 22. They chose to settle in Rochester, New York.
Out of the norm for many immigrants seeking a better life in the United States, everyone in the Tiede family firmly believed in higher education. They also embraced the practice of the social graces.
As a youngster, Bernhardt exhibited an extraordinary singing talent, a gift which would take him far. He was only in his teens when he discovered a passion for sculpting. His pieces showed such promise, the high school he attended provided him with his own exhibition. His aspiration at that time, though, was to become an architect.
Maturity, talent, and possibly limited job opportunities for architects, led Bernhardt to pursue his most promising God-given talent: that of a classical singer. His fine baritone voice opened many doors to him, most notably being the front door of the nation's finest and most respected institute for the study of music - the renowned Julliard School of Music in New York City. One of the hopeful students he was in competition against for a highly-coveted slot in Julliard was folk singer Berle Ives who went on to achieve wealth and fame as not only a singer but also as an actor and author.
While serving in Marseille, France with the United States Army, Bernhardt studied sculpting technique. He continued to sculpt for the rest of his life, using it as a means of relaxation.
Bernhardt Tiede became a respected music educator, holding positions on the teaching staffs at such institutions of higher learning as Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas; Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas where he chaired the department of music, and at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas where he was director of the McMurry Chanters. In Abilene, Bernhardt also served as music director and vocal performer at his church. Prior to relocating to Texas with his wife, a former Miss Wilbur, in August of 1945, Bernhardt was a popular vocal performer and the director of the Waterloo Civic Chorus in Waterloo, Iowa.
He was admired by his students, not only for his fine singing voice but because of his kind, understanding demeanor. A man of even temperament, there was always a twinkle in his eyes which was made the more evident by his endearing sense of humor. Without fail, his smile always reached his eyes.
In 1957, at the age of 45, he married again, this time to 24-year-old Lela Mae Jester, a native of Louisiana, who was on the support staff at SMU.
After accepting the post at Kilgore College, the newlyweds, who were soon anticipating the birth of their first child together, relocated to Kilgore, Texas, an oil-rich town where the tall oil derricks could be found everywhere, even in front yards of houses lucky enough to be sitting on top of an enriching pool of liquid gold.
Over the next two-to-three years, their family grew to include Bernhard Tiede III, born in 1958, and Anna Maria Tiede, born in 1960.
Early in November 1961, Bernhardt and Lena were involved in a serious automobile accident. He was seriously injured and was hospitalized for some time. Lena, tragically, died from her injuries. She was taken to her native Louisiana for burial near her maternal grandmother.
In 1963, at age 51, Bernhardt Tiede found one last chance of happiness when he met and married Clara Kathryn Wiley, age 25, a native of Rusk County, Texas. The couple enjoyed a union of love and devotion for the next 10 years, until his untimely passing from brainstem necrosis on November 28, 1973 at Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene.
The lives Bernhardt Tiede touched through his multiple artistic talents, and his associations with his serious music students left positive, lifelong impacts on many. The affection and respect he earned from his students is something to which all educators aspire but which only a special few achieve.
Although gone these many years, his memory lingers strongly in those whose lives he touched.
ED. NOTE: Sincere appreciation is given to James Faulkenberry who originally created this memorial and who showed such a generous spirit by passing the torch to me. - BAH
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