A Note on the Passing of Friend Doug Bernard

Darkhorse Autosport lost a good friend last week. Doug Bernard fought a long battle with prostate cancer but passed away peacefully on October 24. Doug was always a positive force and eager to assist others. It was in this way that we got to meet, work with and know Doug. It was a friendship that will forever leave a positive mark. Godspeed, Doug. We will miss you.

-Tom Moore

The following is the obituary crafted by Doug’s family. We share it here as a way to help others see why Doug was such an impressive individual.

D. Douglas Bernard passed away peacefully in Miami Florida on October 24, 2012 at age 69.

Douglas Bernard was born in Wilmington, Ohio on April 3, 1943 to parents Donald Dale Bernard and Martha Ann Bernard. Douglas was the oldest of four children and is survived by this three sisters, Sharon Oliver, Shirley Haeuptle, and Barbara Loudenslager. He was the husband of Janete Valle Do Rodrigues Bernard.

He graduated from New Vienna High School in 1961, where he was very active with 4-H projects and FFA in high school. He was awarded the Star Poultry Farmers award for the state of Ohio in 1961. From 1962 to 1964 Doug served in the Peace Corps in Brazil working with agricultural agents to improve the 4-H programs in the country. In 1967 he received an Undergraduate degree from Wilmington College, then a Graduate degree from Thunderbird School of Global Management in 1968.

Starting in 1968 Douglas became active in a business venture in El Salvador, Pavos S.A., that produces and markets frozen turkeys throughout the Central American Market. He remained an active part of this business through the end of his life.

During his residence in El Salvador, Doug was active in setting up the American Chamber of Commerce, and served as President of the American Society where he was active on the board for over six years. In addition, he served on the American School Board for five years (two years as treasurer), and was active with the US Embassy by serving on the Security Commission for U.S. citizens living in the country.

While serving in the Peace Corps he met and married Janete do Valle Rodriques of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil on July 14, 1964. Douglas traveled extensively throughout Central America while living with his family in El Salvador between 1969 and 1980. Moving his family from El Salvador during the country’s civil war, he traveled between Florida and El Salvador from 1980 to 1986. From 1987 to 1991 he worked for a company that imported fresh cut flowers from Mexico and South America, moving to Miami in 1990. In 1992 he was employed by an airline servicing the Caribbean Islands to develop the imports of fresh produce from this region. From 1995 to present he was the President of Tropical Commodities, a company that imports and distributes fresh Chili peppers throughout the United States and Canada.

At the age of 57 Douglas discovered his life’s great hobby, competitive Go-Kart racing. He raced throughout the USA, winning several championships as one of the oldest active competitors. Doug had a grand passion for the sport of open wheel racing, attending many races over the last years of his life and building lasting relationships. While racing, he developed a close friendship with a young Brazilian professional race car driver and enjoyed supporting him and sharing in his friend’s many victories as he moved up to the highest level of open wheel racing.

He is survived by his wife, Janete Bernard of Miami, Florida. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his three sons, Rod, Bryan and Dennis. Over the last two decades he had the joy of gaining three lovely daughter in laws Barbara, Ele and Tracy and five grandchildren; Christian, Trey, Tyler Ana, and Lola.

Memorial services will be held at Van Orsdel Funeral Chapel in Kendall (Miami) on November 3, 2012.

A second memorial will be held in Ohio at the Fairview Friends Meeting House on Antioch Road on Saturday, November 10, 2012. A time of fellowship and food will follow the service at the Meeting House. Private graveside services will be held at the New Antioch Cemetery. Arrangements in Ohio have been entrusted to Littleton Funeral Home 104 N. Jackson St. Sabina, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be directed to any of the following organizations:

The Clinton County 4-H Foundation

111 S. Nelson Avenue, Suite 2

Wilmington, Ohio 45177

Quaker Knoll Camp

675 Sprague Road

Wilmington, Ohio 45177

Fairview Friends Meeting

6976 Antioch Road

New Vienna, Ohio 45159