Richard C. Berner was known and appreciated by many as the founding archivist of the University of Washington Special Collections. He spent a quarter of a century, from 1958 to 1983, mentoring students and researchers in the University Archives and Manuscript Division. He was a trustee of the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild and recipient of the Pacific Northwest History award in 1991.
Drawing on his vast knowledge of Seattle archival history, Berner authored a three-volume history, Seattle in the 20th Century. The books included Seattle 1900-1920: From Boomtown, Urban Turbulence, to Restoration, Vol. 1, 1991; Seattle 1921-1940: From Boom to Bust, Vol. 2,1992; and Seattle Transformed: World War II, Vol. 3, 1999. “These tomes remain relevant and original in their conversational style and examples of urban growth,” Junius Rochester commented. The books were reprinted with Paul Dorpat providing images.
An earlier book in his field was: Archival Theory and Practice in the United States: A Historical Analysis, University of Washington Press, 1983, which was somewhat critical of the shortcomings of the American archival profession. From 1972 to 1976, Berner served on the council of the Society of American Archivists.
He also authored The Thomas Burke Papers, 1875-1925; Manuscript Series Number Three, University of Washington Library, 1960 and collaborated on publication of Charles H. Sheldon’s The Washington High Bench: A Biographical History of the State Supreme Court, 1889-1991, Washington State University.
Perhaps he was most fondly remembered from Guild rambles .
“During the late 1990s and early 2000s Guild members ventured into distant precincts of our region,” Junius Rochester recalls. “We called those excursions Rambles.’ Rich and Temi Berner rarely missed such history adventures. The Berners added colorful narration and off-beat stories as we drove or walked the by-ways. Quoting an informal memoir I wrote during my presidency of the Guild, 1993-1994: During a visit to Vancouver, B.C. we arrived ‘aboard the new Spanish Talgo train. We bedded at the quaint Buchan Hotel in the West End. Besides exploring Vancouver’s outstanding museums and gardens, we gathered one evening on Denman Street to watch the police corner a cat burglar clinging to the ledge of a nearby apartment building . . .’ Another special ramble was to Whidbey Island and Port Townsend.
“In 2003 Rich and I were inducted into the Garfield High School Hall of Fame. It was a special occasion for me (with a meager background of historical activity) because I was in Rich’s good company. Rich’s extraordinary work included helping found UW Special Collections and authorship of a three-volume history of Seattle…”
Thelma Berner was a professor of Physiology and Biophysics in the U. W. Medical School and the first woman appointed Associate Dean of the UW graduate school.
“After Temi’s death Rich sold their hillside home on Madrona’s Cherry Street,” Rochester said. “Every wall in their house was covered with books. Rich offered several volumes to me, and Paul Dorpat helped dispose of the remaining trove. I asked Rich how he found this unique house with its perfect view of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier. His response: as a lad he delivered newspapers to that address. He vowed that one day he would buy the house and make it his permanent residence. And that is what he did.”
For a more complete profile, see Paul Dorpat’s remembrance.