PENNER, BERNARD A .

On September 4, 2026, Bernard Adalbert Penner passed away suddenly in Baltimore, MD. He was the cherished son of the late Rev. Friedemann H. B. Penner and Hannelies E. Penner (nee Schuldt); beloved husband of Helga R. Penner (nee Hein); devoted father of Kristen Amanda Penner and her wife Lorelei Mackenzie of New York and Katrina Michelle Penner of California; loving grandfather of Caspian Reed Penner-Mackenzie; dear brother of Thomas Penner and his wife Glenna of Pennsylvania and the late Joanne Perlin and her surviving husband Michael Perlin of Reisterstown, MD; and treasured nephew of Adolf Schuldt and Sieglinde Rooney, both of Canada.

Bernie was born in Saskatchewan, Canada on September 29, 1954. In 1963, his family immigrated to Baltimore when his father was called to serve as the Pastor of Zion Church of the City of Baltimore. Bernard held a B.A. from UMBC, a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law, and a M.A. in Professional Writing from Towson University. He worked as an attorney for the State of Maryland for 35 years, serving in the Office of the Special Prosecutor, in various roles at the Maryland Department of the Environment and finishing his career at Maryland Environmental Service. He retired in 2017.

Bernie lived a life of service. At Zion Church, he was a pillar of the congregation, serving in many leadership roles over the years, including Church Council President. He was known for his history tours of Zion among visitors who enjoyed his depth of knowledge and engaging storytelling style. He was instrumental in having Zion placed on the National Register of Historic Places. He also served in other lay leadership capacities within the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA, including on the Creation Care team and CLAIM.

Bernie was committed to preserving German culture in Maryland and was an officer in both the German Society of Maryland and the Society for the History of Germans in Maryland.

Bernie found supportive community in Alcoholics Anonymous and deemed service work in that fellowship as key to maintaining his sobriety journey. In March 2026, he received his 40th anniversary chip.

A man with a wide variety of interests and talents, Bernie enjoyed writing, reading, history, swimming, walking in nature, traveling and exploring new places, experiencing plays and films and having deep philosophical and spiritual conversations. He never met a stranger, and had a unique talent for putting people at ease and engaging them in conversation. His daughters Kristen and Katie were the light of his life. He treasured spending time with his family, and most recently, was never happier than when he was playing trains with his grandson.

Friends may visit at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 York Rd. Towson, MD on Friday, September 25th from 2-4 & 6-8pm. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 26th at 1:00pm at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore, 400 E. Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 (Parking lot located at 148 N. Gay Street) followed by a reception in Zion's Adlersaal. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Zion Church of the City of Baltimore or the Chesapeake Bay Trust.