Harry Berndt,  passed away peacefully March 14, 2023. He was predeceased in 1987 by his
daughter Leslie Berndt Bosanco.

Pete, so named by a time of birth misnomer reminiscent of the Beatles song “Rocky
Raccoon,” (His mom intended to name him Henry, he called himself Harry, but everyone
knew him as Pete) was born July 9, 1926 in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. After serving in the
Navy during WWII Pete attended Kent State University and received a BA in English
Literature and Philosophy. Shortly afterward he continued his education in Industrial
Engineering subsequently working for Firestone, McDonald Douglas, Monsanto and others
related to the Nasa space program.

In 1970 Pete returned to academia to follow his interest in Sociology earning an MA in 1972
and PHD in Sociology 1975. From then on his professional career was spent teaching and
writing which was his true passion. His writings include New Rulers of the Ghetto and Only
a Priest which is a biography of father Shockley a dear friend of his. Pete also wrote a
textbook in sociology which he offered free to the many students he taught over the years.
All his letters and writings have been archived at the University of Missouri in St. Louis.
Pete was a lifelong Democrat dedicated to helping people less fortunate in life and was active
in numerous civil rights and other social causes. Pete was also the founder and Director of
Metro Housing Resources, a program dedicated to finding housing for low income families.
He wrote numerous op-ed articles for the Post Dispatch, Boston Globe, and the New York
Times on these subjects.

More than anything Pete loved people and dogs, in that order. He was a devoted husband,
father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved his neighbors and the yellow house
where he and his wife have spent the past 52 years. If you ever lived, visited, or walked
through Webster Groves anytime since 1965 you likely met Pete while he was running,
biking, or walking with one of his beloved dogs, if so you inevitably had a great chat, made a
new friend, and perhaps shared a cold Rolling Rock Beer.

Pete is survived by his wife Nancy Berndt (nee Pfeil), daughter Robin Franklin, sons Eric and
Colin Berndt, grand children Jason Nichols, David Berndt, Morgan Bosanco, Allison Berndt,
Corey and Adam Franklin, and great grand children Annabell and Julia Berndt, Logan and
Wesley Nichols, John, Margaret, Henry, Elizabeth, Parker, Quinn, and Hayes Franklin.

A celebration of life will be held at Holy Redeemer church April 22, 2023 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to

Doctors without Borders

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul