Theodore Gustav Bernau

Theodore Gustav Bernau was born on October 2, 1933, the only child of German immigrants William and Erna Bernau. Ted was raised in Milburn, New Jersey. He enjoyed ham radio, fast cars, and spending time with friends. Ted was especially fond of his 1957 Corvette convertible, and later in life his home office displayed a framed photo of himself driving it. Ted graduated from Milburn High and attended Rutgers University until he was drafted into the US army. When he returned from military service, he went to work for Universal Manufacturing Company, a family-owned business which designed and manufactured torroid-winding machines and parts. He worked his way up from the shop floor and inventory to vice president. He often traveled with the machines to teach the customers how to use, clean, and maintain them. Due to the nature of this work, Ted traveled all around the world and loved to tell stories about his adventures.

Ted met his wife Ruth through a mutual friend, and in 1973, they married, making Ted the stepfather of Ruth‘s three small boys. Their own daughter, Wendi, came along the following year. Ted was a generous and caring father toward all of the children.

Ted’s father retired and they sold Universal in 1986. Ted continued to work for the new owners for a short time. Taking an early retirement, he and Ruth decided to purchase the travel agency where Ruth was working. They both loved traveling and wanted to spend more time doing the things they enjoyed. In 2003, they sold Mendham Travel, and with both Ted and Ruth fully retired, they moved out of New Jersey to their current home on Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, Virginia. Although he did not find boats as appealing as cars, he enjoyed lake living and never stopping loving the incredible view of the lake and mountains from his patio.

Ted led a very active life and enjoyed the journey as much as the destination. He and Ruth would often drive hundreds of miles to see their children and grandchildren, taking four or five days to arrive for a three-day weekend. They were still taking regular road trips to various beaches in Florida and Hilton Head until he was 90. He also enjoyed the quiet of home and the comfort of routines, such as retrieving the mail from the mailbox every day, ushering regularly at Eastlake Community Church and working in the food pantry at the Agape Center. He appreciated a good joke, a cocktail before dinner, and Abbott and Costello movies.

Memorial services will be held at EastLake Community Church, 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 8, 2026. His family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials being made to the Noah Webster Educational Foundation and/or RenewaNation.

Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount - Smith Mountain Lake.