Al Berndt, MD, retired Jan 1, 1981, only 6 months after I joined the anesthesiologists’ practice in Cedar Rapids. Dr Strong once told me he was the best anesthesiologist he’d ever worked with, as his patients would take a spontaneous breath as he tied the last suture, not occasionally, but on every case. That was using anesthetics long outdated today.
He spoke at one of our anesthesia holiday parties once, when he was in his mid 90’s, telling how they used to make their own endotracheal tubes. They used a condom for the balloon and a small rubber tube which they clamped with a hemostat. Anesthesiologists in that day used endotracheal tubes sparingly and carefully because they didn’t want to waste the time making more of them. Also he talked about the old agents and doing cases without pulse oximetry, end tital CO2, or even EKG! He even described lugging a 200 lb anesthesia machine up a flight of stairs in Marengo, or maybe it was in Vinton, in the middle of the night to do an aesthetic.
He was a very good man, though known for his grouchy attitude, especially toward slow surgeons and night cases. Behind that gruff exterior he was kind and caring man.
His wife had a disabling stroke right after he retired. He stayed with her and cared for her for the first 10-15 years of his retirement until she passed. That was the kind of man Al was.
I watched him at dinners to get the clues as to longevity. Fact is he ate anything he pleased but not much. He usually left a lot on the plate. His daily dry martini using Blue Sapphire gin was his usual. People who knew him well said he walked constantly everywhere and very fast, even in his 90's.
He'll be missed. He was classic and one of a kind.
David E Haupt
December 2, 2022
Dr. Berndt, always had the attitude, Patient first. He taught me many lessons. Don’t dawdle, make every movement count. You can be gruff but respectful. I watched him give anesthesia with very little fanfare with great success. Rest well and know your work is finished on this earth. I pray you reunited with Thelma and got a great big hug.
Kathy Gretter
December 2, 2022
Last time I saw Al was when he told me he was almost 100...at a retired doctors' luncheon Mercy Medical Center.
Best story: late one evening or perhaps early one morning we were working together in the OR (of course). Finishing up the case, I was applying a plaster cast taking part of a roll rubbing it all over the cast making it smooth and shiney,
Perhaps a little tired he said: "What in the hell are you doing?"
A little frightened, I told him the only part of the operation the patient will see and if the cast is ugly, what do you think the patient might think about the operation under it. He just shook his head and probably wondered about me. A great guy. Peace. Fred J. Pilcher MD Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Fred and Janet Manatt Pilcher
December 1, 2022
My sympathy to your family. I was a fresh RN working as an anesthesia assistant at St. Luke’s in the 70’s. Dr. Berndt was a little intimidating to me! He didn’t really want or need my help, and he was amazing. He was able to maintain a safe airway with just a mask when the younger guys would always intubate. He was quiet and calm and just did his job well. I remember hearing he only liked cakes made from scratch and could tell a box mix every time!
Paula Happel
December 1, 2022