John Bernhard funded the John and Muriel Bernhard Scholarship for Vocational Students by donating $50,000 in appreciated stocks to CBC Foundation during his lifetime. He did this to direct money away from taxes and towards one of his favorite causes, the education of people of all ages.
Bernhard believed there is always a demand for well-trained technical workers, “There are enough doctors and lawyers around, but we always need good auto mechanics.” John was born and raised in Wisconsin, where technical school training prepared him for a career in drafting and design. He settled in Richland in 1947 to work for General Electric. After 50 years in the Tri-Cities, Bernhard said his estate planning was, “a way to give back to the community. I felt good after I finished drawing up the agreement with the Foundation.”
Since its inception in 1997, the Bernhard Scholarship has helped countless students pursue vocational educations, enriching their lives and the quality of life in the Tri-Cities!