Dr. Louis M. Berninger's Obituary
Dr. Louis M. Berninger, age 89, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2019 in Sarasota Florida. He was born the oldest of two sons in the Bronx, New York City to Louis and Louise Berninger. Louis was a graduate of Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx. He received his bachelor’s in floriculture and master’s in horticulture from Michigan State University. He received his PhD in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he worked for 30 years. He was a control tower operator in the Fifth Recruit Battalion M.C.R.D. of Platoon 422 stationed at Quantico from 1951-1953. Following retirement, he was the head of marketing for the ornamental division of Speedling, Inc. in Florida from 1984-1992. He served as president of the Kiwanis Club of West Bradenton from 1992-1993. He was president in 2011 of the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association and currently served on the board.
Survivors include his wife Miriam of 67 years; children Mary Lou, Linda (Rick), Jo Ann (Christian), and Doug; grandchildren, Amy Li, Mia Xing, Brandon, Kristina, Julie, Josh and Louisa, greatgrandchildren Matt, Ben, Micah, Kaden and Tyler, niece and nephews and many cousins.
Lou is being buried with military honors at the Sarasota National Veterans Cemetery on Thursday March 28, 2019 at 11:00 am. Memorials may be directed to the Suncoast Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association for Student Scholarships (https://chapters.uwalumni.com/sarasota/scholarships/) or the Allen Centennial Garden (https://allencentennialgarden.org).
Dad taught us great values in life by example:
• When we were young growing up in a very white
neighborhood, he invited 2 African grad students, Justice and
Lucas who we adored, to live with us for the summer.
• He supported women's rights before it was even a cause.
• He taught us the value of community service with all the
activities he did, whether it was with FFA, 4H, the Boy Scouts or
the many activities with Kiwanis.
• Dad showed us that hard work could accomplish anything including
getting 4 kids through college debt free.
• Plant sales at the Farmers Market at the Square and the Union were
quite a feat.
• We were amazed to learn that Dad was scared of speaking before
large groups... yet he conquered his fear and spoke at conventions
all across the nation including having his own television show
“Garden Almanac.”
• Family was number one to Dad and he supported everything we wanted
to do.
• Our Dad adored his grandchildren and continued encouraging them in
the same manner.
• Dad taught us pride and loyalty by attending the UW Badgers
football game every week, even when we lost every game. We believe
that he had season football tickets for around 50 years and
greatly enjoyed having seats in the 1st row on the 45-yard line of
the upper deck.
• Dad was also an avid Badger hockey and basketball fan, having
season tickets for many years.
• After moving to Florida, they continued the trek to Madison every
fall to see all their cherished friends and watch the Badgers
finally winning most games.
• Dad loved to travel and saw the world with Mom, even having
planned a trip, although unable to go, with Doug to Machu Picchu
last summer.
• Most importantly he taught us to include everyone; he made people
feel comfortable with his ease of chatting with them.
Dr. Louis M Berninger was an emeritus professor of horticulture and university extension at the University of Wisconsin Madison. During his 30 years, from 1954–1984, he built a nationally recognized program in floriculture extension. Lou helped establish the Extension Committee of American Society of Horticulture Science, serving as the first chairman. He worked extensively on education programs in merchandising floriculture crops and was one of the initial extension specialists providing guidance to the developing bedding plant industry. Lou fostered personal relationships through his frequent visits to greenhouses and garden centers across Wisconsin to help them with growing and marketing concerns. Lou also helped to assess horticultural plant problems before the UW disease and insect diagnostic centers were created. He worked closely with the Society of American Florists and Bedding Plants Inc. speaking frequently at industry conferences. Lou was instrumental in helping to formulate proposed Grades and Standards for Flower Crops.
He guided the development of the Madison and Milwaukee horticulture research gardens. While he was at the university, all of the education meetings for the greenhouse, garden center and nursery personnel were planned and organized by Lou.
In 1964, he developed and hosted the “Garden Almanac” television show for the home gardener on WHA-TV, which ran weekly in the Midwest for six years. Lou organized one of the first Educational Teleconference Network programs held in Wisconsin. He also played a role in creating one-minute taped broadcasts that were distributed to radio stations around the state. He published extensively in his field, including four books: Profitable Garden Center Management, Gardening Illustrated, Annuals Illustrated and Flower Arranging (illustrated by wife Miriam Berninger).
Louis developed a statewide Future Farmers of America (FFA) floriculture judging contest that produced a national winner in 1974. He coached Flower Judging Teams for approximately ten years, and hosted the National Intercollegiate Flower Judging Contest in 1980.
He served as Advisor for the UW-Madison PAX Chapter. Notably, he was the national president (previously V.P. and Secretary/Treasurer) of the ornamental and floriculture honorary society, Pi Alpha Xi. As President, he was responsible for establishing several new chapters. In 1994, he received the Pi Alpha Xi Fellows Award for his meritorious and excellence of service. He was also a member of Theta Xi, Alpha Zeta and Epsilon sigma Phi (National Extension Fraternity). Governor Knowles appointed him to the Natural Beauty Council in 1968 and he continued as program leader through 1971.
Lou and his wife, Miriam, hosted multiple flower tours of Europe, beginning in 1967. This helped to fuel his passion for travel.
Over the years, Lou was honored with numerous awards from many industry associations including:
• Society of American Florist Award for teaching, research and
extension, 1960’s
• Standard Oil Teaching Award 1969
• American Society for Horticultural Science Bittner extension award
1981
• Bedding Plants International Education Futura Award 1982
• Elected a Fellow in the American Society for Horticultural Science
1990’s
• Induction to the Hall of Fame of the Wisconsin Green Industry
Federation 2012
We will miss his sparkling wit and charming personality. Dad was an inspiration to us all. His genuine charm and frequent smile made everyone feel welcome.
With love from his wife Miriam and children, Mary Lou, Linda, Jo Ann, and Doug.
What’s your fondest memory of Louis?
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Share a story where Louis' kindness touched your heart.
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