Obituary: Loposer, Bernard Andre “Bernie” “Barney”

LOPOSER, Bernard Andre “Bernie” “Barney” He began his earthly tenure on December 13, 1931 in the middle of the Great Depression; that tenure terminated on January 30, 2015 after 84 spectacular, adventuresome years on this earth.

Almost from the very beginning, his life embarked on its first nomadic period during which time he attended eleven different schools in nine different Mississippi towns before finishing high school in Belzoni, MS, 1950.

A bit beyond the draft age for WWII, his father was with the Southern Bell Telephone Company and was transferred almost every year to a new assignment in a new town.

Bernie often said: “Moving around to different towns was one of the best things that could have happened to me because I learned early on how to get along with all kinds of different people I met along the way.”

He graduated from Mississippi College in 1954 with a B.A.

degree (double major in sociology and psychology); lettered in basketball, track, and baseball in college; ordained as a Southern Baptist minister and attended seminary in New Orleans, earning his master’s and doctoral degrees in systematic theology/religious philosophy.

From his time as Assistant Dean at L.S.U.

in New Orleans (now the University of New Orleans) in 1964, a second nomadic period began, this one having to do with his career.

After his stint in the dean’s office at L.S.U.

in New Orleans, he later served as Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Dean of Admissions at Loyola University in New Orleans, Vice President for University Relations at Phillips University, Director of Development at Washington State University, and President of Oakland City University, before retiring as Associate Vice President of Eastern Washington University and Executive Director of the Eastern Washington University Foundation.

In retirement, he simply changed careers.

He wrote mystery novels.

Surviving him are his wife Ellen, two daughters (Kimble Vardaman and Kelyn Ralya), and two granddaughters (Avery and Carly Vardaman).

He urges those who follow him to live simply; love generously and without reservation; laugh often; care deeply; embrace your faith boldly; think creatively; and leave the rest to God.

When asked how he would want his epitaph to read, he said simply: “Love always wins!”

Memorial services are pending at this time and will be announced at a later date.