Remembering Bob Bernstein

Please join us in paying tribute to a long time member of the Hofstra community, Robert J. "Bullet" Bernstein.  Bob passed away on May 18, 2021, and in his honor, we are raising funds for the Bob and Marvin Bernstein Memorial Scholarship.

Bob Bernstein was loved by thousands. Bob graduated from Hofstra University in 1955 with a BA in history. While attending Hofstra, Bob was sports editor of the Hofstra Chronicle, manager of the track team and a member of Kappa Delta Pi (Honorary Education Society) and Pi Delta Epsilon (Honorary Journalism Society). He went on to receive an MA from Columbia University. He had a lengthy career devoted to teaching young people the importance of understanding our judicial system and the valuable place it holds in ensuring the fair and just application of law for all. Bob has taught at many schools on Long Island, including Levittown Memorial High School, Mineola High School and The Wheatley School. He was also history chairperson of the American School of Paris in Paris, France. In 1972 Bob started the law program for seniors at The Wheatley School. The program dealt with student rights and responsibilities. In 1984 Bob started a Mock Trial Tournament at The Wheatley School, which includes teams from other Long Island schools. He volunteered for several years for the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, now known as The Safe Center Long Island, on behalf of victims of domestic violence.  

Following retirement as a social studies teacher from Wheatley School, Bob remained actively involved in Hofstra University. During his time at Hofstra, Bob was president of the Hofstra University Pride Club, vice president of The Alumni Organization, vice president of the Hofstra Veterans Association. 

Bob received numerous honors and awards, including Wheatley Teacher of the Year, Hofstra Veteran of the Year, Volunteer of the Year on behalf of the Hofstra Alumni Organization, Hofstra Lifetime Achievement Award, Joseph Margiotta Distinguished Service Award, Hofstra George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award and the Nassau County Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award, a prestigious award presented annually to a non-lawyer individual or organization in recognition of outstanding community service that has contributed significantly to the furtherance of law and justice. 

When asked what was the single most rewarding experience in his career, he replied, "knowledge that I have made a difference in people's lives." He accomplished that many times over and will be remembered for generations to come. 

The Bob and Marvin Bernstein Memorial Scholarship is awarded to journalism, media studies or public relations majors.