Bernard E. Nash

Bernard Elbert Nash, born Palmer, Mass. November 7, 1922, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2023. Preceded in death by mother (Leah), father (Perlin) and sister (Dorothy Solberg), wives Marjorie Rosenwald, Elizabeth Hobbs, and Shirley Anderson, daughter Cynthia Nash Knight. Father of Debra Nash Mazzullo (John) of Laurel Maryland and David Nash of Downingtown, PA. Stepfather of Judith Fulton and Robert Frederick. many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren through his third wife Shirley. Nash holds a Doctor of Public Administration from USC, a BA and Masters in Social Work from University of Minnesota. His career spanned 7 years active and 33 years in the Naval Reserve as a Naval Aviator, retiring as Rear Admiral. His social work career included Parole Officer 1953-1957; director of the Minnesota Office on Aging 1957 - 1962; Associate Professor, U of Missouri 1962-1965; Director, Foster Grandparent Program, U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity 1965; Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Aging, US Department of Health, Education and Welfare 1965-1969; and staff and Executive Director, AARP 1969-2001. Nash was an active volunteer in church programs, military organizations, and international social welfare efforts. He served a president of the International Federation on Aging and the Episcopal Society for Aging Ministry. He was selected as a Pioneer in Social Welfare by the National Association of Social Work for his work in the field of Aging and received the Presidents Lifetime Achievement Award.

A Visitation for Bernard Nash will take place Friday, May 19, 2023, from 3:00-6:00 PM, at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 Harlem Avenue Tinley Park, IL. 60477. Lying in State Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10:00 AM until time of Service 11:00 AM at Grace Episcopal Church 209 North Pine Street, New Lenox, IL. 60451. Interment with full Military Honors will commence Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN at 1:00 PM. For additional funeral service information, 708-532-1635 or www.vandenbergfuneralhome.com