Bernard Roger Kirchmayer (Aka Bern Dog), December 16, 1941 – May 27, 2025, died peacefully with his family present after residing for the past four years at Durand Manor in Golden, BC.
Born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, in 1941, he joined the military in 1959 at the age of 17 and remained enlisted until 1993. His military career afforded him the experience of travelling the world and eventually meeting his wonderful wife, Wendy. Married in 1975 in Lahr, West Germany, Bernie and Wendy went on to have three wonderful children, Stephanie, Kristina, and Bradley.
During his military service, Bernie lived in Winnipeg-MN, Petawawa-ON, peacekeeping in Cypress, Germany, Ottawa, Valcartier-QC, Oromocto-NB, before finally moving to Lethbridge-AB, in 1990. He retired from the military in 1993 as a Warrant Officer with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. After retiring from the military, with his need to stay busy, he went on to another 15-year career at Kawneer (Alcoa).
He officially retired (and stayed retired) in 2012 when he moved to Edmonton to join his wife, who had taken a job opportunity in Alberta’s capital city. Upon Wendy’s retirement in 2015, they moved to Golden, British Columbia, to live closer to their children and help with raising their grandchildren.
Bernie could best be described as a hard-working family man who was a straight shooter and would do almost anything for those close to him. Bernie was never one to shy away from hard work; being a Warrant Officer in the Canadian armed forces taught him to persevere and give it his all.
His hard work ethic and perseverance transferred to his personal life, and he did everything he could for his family. Bernie and Wendy worked hard to support their growing family and made sure their children were always supported in school and sports. Sports were a big part of the Kirchmayer household, with the children engaged in hockey, swimming, baseball, and volleyball.
On top of driving his kids to all the practices, games, and swim meets, Bernie even volunteered as a coach and team manager when needed.
Bernie loved to cook for his family, and some of his specialties included roast beef with all the trimmings, big spaghetti dinners, scrambled egg breakfasts, and the best homemade apple pie.
After bringing home two bushels of apples to Wendy in New Brunswick, he said, “Look at this, Wendy, you can make apple pies”. Well, busy as she already was, she taught him how to make the pies from scratch, including the pie crusts. Every fall, he would fill the freezer with dozens of apple pies, and the children would happily finish them off before the next season’s apples came in.
Bernie loved to cook big meals, but he also wanted his kids to eat well on a regular basis, so on most school days, he would get up early and make pancakes or French toast for breakfast, and every evening, he would make the kids’ lunches (even though they sometimes came home in the bottom of their backpacks).
Bernie and Wendy enjoyed travelling to visit friends and family. They made trips across Canada, to Mexico and spent their early years together travelling all over Europe. Whenever possible, they included their children on these trips, instilling a passion for new adventures within the entire family.
A favourite family trip was made almost every year to the Fairmont Banff Springs before Christmas, where Bernie and Wendy could celebrate the holiday with their children and grandchildren and make new memories.
He is predeceased by his parents, Frank and Amelda Kirchmayer, his brother Robert Kirchmayer, his close Aunt Mary Steingart, Joyce Kam, and his best friend of all, Danzig.
He is survived by his wife Wendy Kirchmayer, Daughter Stephanie (Ian) Templeton and their sons John and Sam, daughter Kristina Kirchmayer and her son Alexander, son Bradley (Tara) Kirchmayer and their daughters Mikaela and Katrina, brother’s wife Jane Griffiths and their two sons, and many close extended family and friends.
To read the full obituary and watch a tribute video, please visit www.bowersfuneralservice.com
