Burnell "Bernie" Craig Haldiman, age 72, of Overland Park passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021.  Bernie was born March 21, 1949 in Normandy, Missouri, the son of Carl Godfrey Haldiman and Helen (Wilmore) Haldiman.  Bernie grew up in Warrensburg, MO  where his father was a professor at the local college and his mother was an elementary school teacher. It was an excellent environment for cultivating the intellectual Bernie would become.   Bernie was an only child with great love and respect for his parents and a particular closeness with his father.  Together they frequently camped, fished, and hunted.  Growing up Bernie enjoyed being in the Boy Scouts.  He was a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say honor society.  He  attained Eagle Scout, the highest scouting rank. Years later Bernie was proud and privileged to mentor a young man, he met through volunteering, who was working toward his own Eagle Scout ranking.  In 1971 Bernie received his Bachelor of Science in physics and mathematics from University of Central Missouri and then taught in Eldon, Missouri for two years.  Bernie met his wife Connie Pretz when both worked at ERC/Textron.  They were united in marriage on September 13, 1975 in Kansas City, Kansas.

Bernie worked in the quartz crystal industry for nearly 30 years. He worked at ERC/Textron in Kansas, M-Tron Industries in South Dakota, and Electro-Dynamics in Kansas. Over his tenure at these companies, he developed many engineering product improvements while adjusting the quartz crystal product design to keep up with market technology advancements.  He also pioneered many innovative developments in precision crystal manufacturing before retiring from the quartz crystal industry at age 52.  Bernie didn't stay retired long.  He soon returned to teaching and taught 10 years in high school math classes for Kansas City Missouri Public Schools before retiring once again.

For several years, Bernie and Connie were Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors to eleven year old Troy Byrd.  A warm and loving relationship still exists.  Bernie always enjoyed interacting with his extended family.  The children and pets occupied a special place in his heart.  He was particularly proud to be the "godfather" of one of his nieces.

Bernie was a life long audiophile.  While living in South Dakota, he was a partner in a high end audio electronics store.  The quality of his own audio system is something few people will ever experience.   His love of music resulted  in an impressive collection of music across many genres.  Bernie was an avid catch and release fly fisherman.  He fished during many vacations  taken with Connie to several states and he was a frequent visitor to Bennett Springs, MO.  His favorite fishing trip was what he called a once in a life time outing to the Klamath River in California with one of Connie's cousins. Bernie enjoyed competitive hand gun shooting at both stationary ranges and  on courses set up with multiple targets.  Bernie was an active member in BMW and Audi car clubs and particularly enjoyed the club's road trips.

During retirement, Bernie was very passionate about volunteering  in various ministries at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection including Christmas in October, Bless the School and elementary school backpacks for hunger.  Bernie's favorite church ministry was Geeks 4 God.  He dedicated many hours each week to refurbishing donated computers which were redeployed  to countless individuals, labs and charitable organizations.  Bernie's knowledge of computers was well known within his extended family and thus he was the family's go to guy for computer issues.   Bernie's recent interests have included exercise classes with Connie, and keeping up with the latest news regarding Warrior Canine Connection dogs. The exercise classes presented another opportunity for Bernie to share his gifts as right before his death he put in place a way for his instructor to start pay-to-play online exercise classes.

A summation of Bernie's life must include a few more things.  He was a connoisseur extraordinaire of chocolate chip cookies and his favorite drink was Mountain Dew soda which he liked to refer to as the nectar of the gods.   When an adult beverage was desired the Mountain Dew morphed into a  "Dew rita" (half Mt Dew and half margarita mix).

Survivors include: his loving wife of 45 years, Connie; sister-in-law: Debbie (Mike) Budenbender; brothers-in-law: Rick (Nancy) Pretz; Mike (Sarah) Pretz and Greg (Deb) Pretz; Big Brothers Big Sisters son: Troy Byrd and family; four nieces; two nephews; fourteen great nieces and nephews; one great-great niece; and many Haldiman cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; furry son: Baranof "Bear"; older brother: Terry Carl; and niece: Renée Pretz.

In person Memorial Services:  The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection

13720 Roe Ave, Bldg A, Leawood, KS

April 24, 2021 at 10:00 AM

dress code: business casual

masks required, appropriate social distancing

no reservations required

For those who can't attend, the service will be livestreamed at cor.org/memorialsonline

Clergy:  Pastor Adam Hamilton

Private Burial at  Sunset Hill Cemetery, Warrensburg, Missouri

Memorial contributions can be made to Healing House of KCMO (healinghousekc.org/donate/,

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Bookmobile/Book Fair (cor.org/leawood/ways-to-give), or Warrior Canine Connection, Boyds, MD (warriorcanineconnection.org/get-involved/donate/.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net