Dr. Ernesto Marroquín Bernal, renowned scholar, university professor, educational consultant to school districts nationwide, and active in social justice issues, passed away September 1, 2017, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.  Former Dean of the College of Education at UT Pan American in the 1990s and key in the development of the Division of Bicultural Bilingual Studies at UTSA in the 1970s, Bernal authored the first scholarly research on the Latino gifted child in the U.S., bucking a trend which had slotted minority children as "culturally deprived".  His continued research and pioneering publications in this area helped change the field of education, and stimulated new ways of looking at bright, culturally and linguistically diverse students.

A prolific scholar and innovator in the fields of Bilingual Education, Gifted Education, and the Psychometric Analysis of Test Bias, he spent a lifetime speaking and publishing on the gifts of children from culturally diverse backgrounds. A uthor of  more than 500 publications, Dr. Bernal co-founded, along with his wife, later City Poet Laureate of San Antonio and State Poet Laureate of Texas, Dr. Carmen Tafolla, a bilingual school for the gifted and creative child, Camino, and headed up the San Antonio Gifted Education Foundation, which operated from 2002-2006.

Dr. Bernal will always be remembered for his passion for life, laughter and learning, and his ability to welcome all, into the warm abrazo of an ever-open familia, that made brothers and sisters of colleagues and neighbors, friends and enemies, and saw every child and every student as the great future leader and future contributor they could become.

An inspiring teacher, Bernal began his teaching career at Keystone School as a young St Mary's University grad, teaching English and Government, and inspired his students to take an active role in political and social service institutions. He later received an MA from Our Lady of the Lake and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, and served as faculty at St Mary's University, the University of Texas San Antonio, California State University Fresno, Cal State San Bernardino, Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and UT Pan American.  Remembered by many for the transformative role he played in their professional and personal lives, many former students were shaped by his enthusiastic respect for all, regardless of their age, race, economic status, gender, or individuality.

He has received the Citation of Merit from the National Leadership Training Institute on the Gifted and Talented; has been honored by College Board; the State of New Mexico for contributions to New Mexico Education; the Arizona division of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); and the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education; and served as a Professional Associate with Educational Testing Service.  In 2016, Keystone School unveiled a paver in his honor on the walk of great Keystone teachers, for his belief that gifted children can be found in all races, religions, and socioeconomic levels.

An expert witness on Test Bias for the MALDEF vs State of Texas lawsuit, he fought valiantly and throughout his career for a culturally equitable alternative to current high-SES-normed high-stakes standardized testing.

In 1994, he was asked by the government of Spain and King Juan Carlos to deliver the inaugural address at the Escola di Marketing, Educació, y Administraciò in Barcelona, Spain, because of his role in organizational change, and particularly for his perspectives on ways in which a professional-level institution can impact a broader community.

A native of San Antonio, TX, Dr. Bernal served as a consultant to educational institutions and projects throughout the U.S. and Mexico,

developed bilingual curriculum, and directed the Center for Bilingual Education and Research at Arizona State University, as well as developing and administering other programs throughout the Southwest.

Dr. Ernesto Marroquin Bernal was pre-deceased by his parents Ernesto and Linda Bernal, his brother Fr Eddie Bernal, and his daughter, Cielos Tafolla Bernal.  He is survived by his wife, Dr. Carmen Tafolla; sons Israel T. Bernal, David Marroquin T. B. Hernandez (Lizzy), and Sean Bernal Hazuda; daughters Marilinda T. Bernal, Ariana T. Bernal, and Ann Bernal Richter (Paul); grandson, Anthony J. Simon; plus many dear friends, cousins, ex-students and colleagues.   A licensed pilot and a passionate admirer of World War II Aircraft, Dr. Bernal has finally earned his wings.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Sunday September 10, 2017

Visitation 3:00 P.M. -5:00 P.M.

The Angelus Funeral Home Chapel

1119 N. St. Mary's St.

A Celebration of Life will begin at 5:00 P.M.

followed by recitation of
the Rosary at 5:30 P.M.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Everyone will meet at the church for visitation from 9:00 A.M. to 9:40 A.M.

Video Presentation  9:45 A.M.

St. Timothy Catholic Church

1515 Saltillo St.

Funeral Mass to be offered at 10:00 A.M.

Fr. Mike DeGerolami officiating

Interment will follow at

Bluebonnet Cemetery
Somerset, Texas