Elemer Bernath, age 94, passed away December 1, 2019. He was born Elemer de Bernath Von Bernathfalva. During World War II, Elemer left Hungary just as the Russians were invading the country in November 1944. He subsequently settled in Munich, Germany, where he attended the University of Munich studying Veterinary Medicine. Eventually, he immigrated to the United States, specifically Fort Collins, Colorado, sponsored by the Presbyterian Church and Dr. J. Wilson Byers and family. He continued his studies at Colorado A & M College (now Colorado State University), first in Veterinary Medicine until he learned he would have to take all of his courses over again, at which point he switched to education. He received his B.A. in 1953 and M.A. in 1957.

In 1954, Elemer met and married Jean Kingdon in Fort Collins and settled down in Fort Morgan, initially as a high school science teacher. Later, he taught junior high science. He retired from teaching in 1984 and became Recreation Director for the City of Fort Morgan. Twelve years later, he retired from his position, and in 1996 returned to the high school as a substitute teacher.

Elemer was family-oriented and loved spending time with his children, Stephen Bernath and wife Karalee in Olympia, Washington (children Miel and Kin); Paul Bernath and wife Connie in Crawford, Nebraska (children Holly and Paul, Jr, grandchildren Jeremyia and Ashleii); and Elizabeth Riter and late husband Delin, Broadus, Montana (children Valerie and Amanda). In his spare time, he liked to hike with his wife Jean in the Rocky Mountain National Park and travel, not only overseas to England and Hungary, but to many parts of the country and all over Colorado.

Elemer Bernath actively promoted science fairs locally, bi-state and state wide, as well as the Colorado-Wyoming Junior Academy of Science, where he served as Executive Secretary for many years. He belonged to and was an elder at the United Presbyterian Church in Fort Morgan. He is survived by his three children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, his brothers Leslie Hanzely and Stephen Hanzely and wife Brigitta.

The funeral will be at the United Presbyterian Church on December 7, 2019 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Presbyterian Church, the Fort Morgan Retired School Employees Scholarship Fund, the Centennial Red Cross, or the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair all c/o Heer Mortuaries & Crematory.