Bernard George Rand Jr.

BERNARD GEORGE RAND JR., much loved husband, father, grandfather, friend. He was born on March 6, 1934, marking his 90th birthday this year. He preferred to be called Bernie by friends, but also Dad, Grampy, Grumpy, so many loving names.

Bernie was born in Malden, Massachusetts and would tell you he attended 13 different schools before entering the United States Air Force. There he spent four of his favorite years because there he had time to make friends. After his time in the Air Force, where he served during the Korean War, he graduated from San Diego State College as an Electrical Engineer.

He enjoyed his chosen career, working as a civilian for the Navy for most of his working years. But overall his favorite thing to do was expanding the small house in La Mesa that he and Susan purchased in 1970, adding many rooms and even a whole new building so that her parents could come and stay during the MA winters. He had many talents which he used doing this. He could fix most anything.

 During Bernie’s later years he became very interested in politics and watched little television, focusing more on podcasts and learning as much as he could—all kinds of podcasts, including religion. He truly enjoyed learning.

He repeatedly said his happiest years began when he married Susan (Forsberg) in 1969 and had two sons, Chris & Mike. Then they added to this happiness by marrying two wonderful girls, Karen and Katherine. And he celebrated and adored his five grandchildren: Addisyn Grace, Piper Joy, Marissa Harmony, Jacob Michael and Megan Marie. Family to him was extremely important and these family members brought him great joy . He was so proud of what his sons had attained—Chris with his PhD and Mike the rank of Commander in the Sheriff’s office. 

 Loved greatly by his wife, sons and grandchildren, Bernie knew they were by his side in actuality and virtually as he was being called peacefully to join his 2 sisters, Evelyn and Margie, and their parents, Bernie Sr. and Hilma, who predeceased him.