Bernard L. “Bernie” Padgett, 86, of Hawthorn Woods, IL, formerly of Morocco, IN, passed away at 6:58 p.m. Sunday, July 21, 2013 at the Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, IL. Bernie resided with his daughter Janis and son-in-law, Don Cichon for the past 14 years.

He was born August 26, 1926 in Morocco, the son of Bernard and Lucille (Smith) Padgett. His mother died on March 2, 1934 when Bernie was just seven years old so Bernie started his traveling early in life attending Morocco High School and then attended six other high schools in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Tennessee, graduating from Emerson High School located in Gary, IN. He spent several years with and received tender care from Uncle Harry and Aunt Ethel. He took eight years of night school classes at the Illinois Institute of Technology to procure an Electrical Engineering degree. Bernie was in the U.S. Navy from 1944 – 46 (Philippines: Leyte and Island of Luzon, later in Subic Bay).

Bernie married Eleanor Margaret (MacLaurin) Padgett on July 4, 1952. They resided in Hillside, IL. For 15 years he was an engineer for White City Electric Co. and Engelhardt Inc., both large electrical contracting firms in Chicago, filling the role of Vice President at both companies. This work involved construction for large projects such as NBC (National Broadcasting Co.), the Chicago Sun Times and Daily News buildings, Marshall Field Enterprises, the subways of Chicago, O’Hare Field and many commercial and industrial firms.

In 1964 he formed a general contracting firm Werner-Herbison-Padgett (WHP) providing construction for local, national and international clients. The firm constructed structures of varying types: Recreational Centers containing Handball/Racquetball Courts, Bowling Alleys (Brunswick, many for U.S. military bases, etc.), Fire Towers, Confined Rescue Solutions, Under Water Rescue Training Units, Mobile Fire Tower Training Units (for towns too small to afford a building, this unit could be taken across the country for Firehouse Teams to use on a temporary basis), Wickes Furniture Warehouses and more. His structures are in place across the entire nation, including Alaska and Hawaii.

For the Fire Towers, Bernie engineered and patented a panel that was resistant to constant high temperatures for what came to be known as “Padgenite” Panels, a calcium silicate insulating material, and engineered an installation system to afford maximum insulating capability. A rugged building, combined with a durable, life-like liner, WHP earned a solid reputation for quality, and set a new industry standard for fire training. When installed on the interior surfaces, live fire drills in temperature ranges of 1200 degrees may be conducted. For live fire training, WHP remains the sole provider of this innovative building design.

Bernie also pioneered large Airline Crash Simulations for several large airports across the nation so airline staff could “practice” how to evacuate passengers in the event of a crash.
He created another firm to focus on international opportunities (International Design Consultants Inc.). This firm provided turnkey construction of facilities in Canada, Germany and Saudi Arabia. Other facilities have been designed and delivered to other parts of the world, including Japan, Greece, Scotland, Turkey, Italy, Spain and South Korea. He made 54 business trips to Hawaii where he built many buildings for the military. He has flown in 39 different types of planes and he actually piloted two and co-piloted one.

Bernie was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shrine, the V.F.W., Vice President and Director of the United States Military Sports Association (USMSA), and a member of the George Ade’s Hazelden Country Club. Bernie loved his work but also enjoyed golf, wood working, traveling, reading, listening to music of the Big Band era, watching war documentaries, business news programs and a nice hot game of gin rummy! He had many friends who kept in contact with him his entire life. Bernie was a very happy, caring, loving Father and husband. We like to say “The Best Dad Ever”! Over and above being a very classy individual, he will be remembered by us all as a world-class gentleman.

Surviving are his two daughters Pam Larkin, Loves Park, IL, Janis (Don) Cichon, Hawthorn Woods, IL; granddaughter Katie Larkin, Campbellsville, KY, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins along with many wonderful and cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Irene Padgett; his wife Eleanor; two sisters, Elba Ackors and Bertie Jenkins; brother Joseph Padgett; and lifelong friend Georgia K. Westerman.

The first visitation will be held Monday, July 29th from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT in Illinois at Ahlgrim Family Funeral Services, 415 Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, IL. Bernie will return home to Morocco for a second visitation, service and burial at Prairie Vine Cemetery. The Indiana visitation will be Tuesday, July 30th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CDT at the Morocco First United Methodist Church, 203 S. Clay St. in Morocco (219-285-2762). The funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Wayne Williams officiating. A Masonic service will be held just prior to the funeral service. Steinke Funeral Home of Morocco (219-866-5151) will be assisting the family with arrangements at the church. After the church service, the family will have a Military Firing Squad, Flag folding send-off and graveside service and burial. Afterwards, family and friends are welcome to return to the Morocco First United Methodist Church for a meal. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Humane Society of the United States, or the VFW. For information, call Steinke Funeral Home of Morocco at 219-866-5151, or visit SteinkeFuneralHome.com.

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