Bernie was larger than life. He and I were friends since we were at Heights together. In the 1964 Cauldron cover photo, Bernie is serving a ball in his tennis whites and I am standing next to him in my Choir robe. So many memories! I can still picture him at 16, knocking at the screen door, sweaty from riding his bike after playing tennis at Cain Park. “Hi, Fatty,” he greeted me. “Where’s your father? Whatcha got to eat?” He and my father loved to talk Torah! He invited himself for dinner. My mother, ever the diplomat, would scold, “Bernie! Go home!” “Ah, Mrs. Landau,” he would with his winning smile, “You know you really love me.” She did, and he always stayed. We were friends through our days at Western Reserve. I’ll never forget the New Year’s Eve we walked through an ice storm from University Circle to his parents’ apartment on Mayfield. The story of their remarkable love in WWII Berlin was inspiring. Did they survive against the odds to bring Bernie into the world?  In our 30’s, Bernie would visit at my home in Beachwood, serenading my kids playing the Bach “Chaconne” on his violin in my resonant kitchen. Our friendship defied time. Even if we hadn’t spoken in years, when we reconnected, it was as if we had seen each other the day before. I visited him and Emily in Atlanta, and we had a ball crashing the bar mitzvah of Jared and Rusti Klein’s son in Athens, GA. When my daughter got married, Bernie was my guest for the wedding. When we weren’t dancing, he was playing his violin! For our 50th Heights reunion, he “held court” at Geraci’s all day Friday. Our friends came by to visit -- many pizzas and pops! Brilliant, funny, a gifted musician, a flawless mimic, resilient, a man of many accomplishments, his only boast was about his sons. How he loved “MyDovid,” and how he kvelled about Eli. My world is a poorer place without Bernie. Rest in peace, my dear friend.

On a whim, I decided to google my friend from Cleveland whom I hadn’t seen since 1976.

I was shocked and  saddened to learn of Bernie’s passing. I only knew Bernie for a few short years when I lived in Cleveland in the early 1970’s.  During our brief 2-3 year friendship, Bernie and I would often pal around  doing some hilarious and fun things, as well as hang out  at his apartment in Cleveland Heights..

Take for example our visiting a pizza shop at closing time. Bernie  with violin in hand, would waltz in to take requests from the remaining patrons, with the goal of free pizza as payment. According to Bernie, there were always a few pies that had been ordered but never picked up. (Think poor, struggling friends). The patrons loved it.

Or the hours we spent playing chess from midnight until 5 AM on weeknights, with school and work just a few hours ahead. 

A person of such wit,  intelligence, and facility with language I had never known, nor have ever met since. Bernie has a special place in my heart.

My condolences to the surviving family members.

Bernard was a character that I was lucky to know!
I was so impressed with his facility of languages and music. One year Bernard and I went to a retirement community to sing Christmas carols. God love him!
I loved him “Zeen”

David , Eli Et all . 
So sorry to just hear the tragic news about your father . In the the short time I knew him , he was so thoroughly  brilliant on so many topics and life in general .After having so many lunches and dinners  I felt I knew both of you before we first met . He was so proud of you both as well he should  . My sincere condolences. 

Kevin Battersby 

David and Eli, I am so saddened to hear about your dad. It is never easy and I hope and pray you find comfort and strength. I am honored and blessed to have known him. Cousin Josh and I talked about him regularly, He was a funny, inspiring and caring person while we all were growing up and I will miss him! My condolences to Bernard's entire family.

Bernard was my dad's first cousin. He was really one of a kind. There was never a dull moment when you were around him. He was wonderful company and a great raconteur. He was a person you just wanted to be around. I learnt so much and had a lot of fun anytime I visited him. We really can not believe he is no longer with us. He will be sorely missed. 

My first memory of visiting Bernard in Cleveland, when I was twelve, was of him taking me to a beach party. He managed to convince many a young lady that I was his long lost son from England and by the end of the evening he had several offers to adopt me!

Sending much love to David and Eli x

Bernard was a "cousin" who was always kind, generous and helpful to me.  He was worldly and able to explain anything in simple terms.  He was so good to his mother, caring for her in his own home; he was a wonderful father to his sons.  We mourn his passing.
May his memory be for a blessing.
Lana (& Anders Olsson)

Barbara (Luxenberg) McTighe and Ron Luxenberg asked me to relay their condolences to Bernard's family.

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Bernard Mlaver. I was very shy in high school and sat next to "Bernie" in speech class. I had to practice and practice speeches at home and even then, they were wooden and pathetic, but Bernie would get up and give a perfect extemporaneous speech every time. He was a kind, funny, smart teenager, and it sounds as though he became a wonderful man. I am sorry not to have known him later in life. I send good wishes to his family.  

Eleanor Morse

I pray for strength and peace to Bernard's sons, David and Eli, and to his nephew Adam who I recently met.  I am so honored and blessed to have known Bernard, and I am very pained to learn that I have lost a genuinely kind friend.  I will miss our conversations on any and every world event and issues during our "Covid dinners" and telephone calls.  Bernard was a giver - he shared his music, he shared his knowledge and he shared stories of his family.  Thank you, Bernard, for bringing me laughter and brightening my days during a time when we all are quarantined and adjusting to a new normal.  My heartfelt condolences to Bernard's entire family.  May light perpetual shine upon him.

I’m so sad to hear of Bernard’s passing. He was truly brilliant and loved by so many. May his memory be a blessing to his sons, David and Eli. He loved his boys so much. They were his pride and joy from day one. RIP Bernard. ❤️

I spent ten years working for this wonderful man. I learned so much about medicine and life and the true meaning of friendship from him. He was honest and genuine and funny. We laughed together and cried together. After all these years of being apart we still kept in touch. I can hear him singing my name..."Miss Vickie Miss Vickie how are you Miss Vickie" each time we spoke.  I'm really really going to miss this wonderful friend of mine. Rest in peace my friend. I love you always.

Such a wonderful time about five years ago in Florida. Talked about early life and about his sons. He was always a great talent. This is devastating. Sending support and kindness to his family and friends.  This was a good man.

He was one of the best. For a short time during my high-school years we lived in the same neighborhood and he could not have been more welcoming to me in his house whenever I locked myself out of my own house. David and I were friends in high school and I have such fond memories of being at their house in his company and just always laughing 

OBITUARY

Dr. Bernard Mlaver

July 2, 1946 – November 8, 2020

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services