Dr. Bernard T. Lomas

Dr. Bernard T. Lomas – husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, clergyman, educator, counselor, author, and lecturer – passed away on December 24, 2020 at the age of 96.  

Many would say Bernard Lomas had three careers.  As a clergyman, he served several churches in Ohio and became Senior Minister of Epworth Euclid Church in Cleveland, a showcase cathedral and one of the largest churches in the Methodist denomination.  He was very active in the Cleveland community chairing an assembly of Fortune 1000 CEO’s to improve the city’s quality of life.  He also converted a 5 star hotel into a one-of-a-kind senior living residence.  As an educator, he was President and then Chancellor of Albion College.  In a time of strong anti-government and anti-establishment sentiment, he founded the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service to foster positive political participation.  In that same period, he established The Carl A. Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management to attract, train, and equip students for successful careers in business.  During his tenure, Albion was labeled by the Wall Street Journal as the Harvard of the Midwest.  He was then Counselor to the President of the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., where an endowed fellowship remains in the Lomas name at the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom.  While at Heritage, he met with, offered ideas, and authored writings for three sitting U.S. Presidents.  He was unusual.  His careers truly were the Spirit, the Mind, and the Body.  

He held earned degrees from Albion College, Oberlin College, and Vanderbilt University as well as several honorary degrees.  He led television and radio ministries in Cleveland and was the author of five books and numerous educational and religious journals.  He was a popular speaker on college campuses and to civic and business groups throughout America and Europe.  He served on boards involving banking, large national charities, and social service organizations.  He consulted major international corporations on personnel and human relations issues.   He was also a 33rd Degree Mason. 

He was married for 72 years (Barbara – d), has two sons (Paul – m Gayle, and David – d).  He has three grandchildren (Kyle – m Melissa, Abbey – m Calvin Vantland, and Torrey) and three great grandchildren. 

His service to others was central in his life, and his role model as husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather was standard setting.  He touched so many lives.  Memories of him are vivid.  His legacy will be long lasting.

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