Bernd "B.G." Greulich (1938-2014)

(Died October 11, 2014)
Excerpts from BG’s Obituary (edited by Jim Harrison)

Bernd Greulich passed away peacefully before dawn, Saturday, October 11, surrounded by immediate family. Two devastating strokes, sustained Sept. 16, were followed by a third in the weeks that followed. He was treated at Atlanta Medical Center, whose team of medical professionals provided expert care and compassionate support. He was 76.

He is survived by his beloved spouse of 35 years, Irmi; his adopted stepson, Tom, and daughter-in-law, Lila, from Fort Worth, TX.

Born in Mannheim, Germany, on April 7, 1938, Bernd emigrated first to Central Canada and then the U.S. Mid-West in the 1960s. By the mid-1980s, Bernd and Irmi would call Georgia, home.

BG remained active until the very end. His passion for photography led him to become a long-standing Board member with the Atlanta Photographic Society for over 15 years. His love of travel included regular visits to Germany (most recently in May), and when stateside RVing with the GA Mountaineers, always with his camera, blessing everyone with numerous beautiful and memorable images.

His sense of humor and zest for life will be sorely missed.

BG and a Bear by Helene Mewborn

APS Members’ Thoughts

From Helene Mewborn
Having been in the Club since its inception, I can tell you that no other individual member has contributed more in time, effort and inspiration to keep it going than has Bernd Greulich.

The Old Boat by Bernd Greulich

From Ru Britton
We are all missing BG at APS. He added life and energy to our gatherings and it is hard to go to our meetings and not have him there.

I met him in 2003 when I joined the club and he was always so helpful and fun. Over the years I saw him contribute so much…working in the background to get us our websites, helping us transition from film to digital, researching and implementing systems enabling our entry into national competitions, introducing us new to genres such as Minimalist Photography…and so much more.

BG always went the extra mile. I was in Chicago for about three years, but as a Digital Member…. a category of membership that he invented and instituted… I still participated in our digital competitions. After every competition, he sent me an email to let me know the judges feedback on my images. I never expected anyone to do this, but he was so nice to take the time to pass along the information.

There are so many ways that BG shared his knowledge contributed his time. But as is best stated on his memorial page, what I will most remember about him were his sense of humor and his zest for life.

Swamp Walk by Bernd Greulich

From Jim Harrison

BG was the steadfast backbone of the Atlanta Photographic Society.  His selfless efforts kept the club going during times when volunteers were hard to find.  He was our meticulous Secretary for the past 11 years, ably led the club as President for three years (2004 thru 2006), was Vice President one year, and Competition Chair for 4 years. Remarkably, he was a Club Officer/Board Member for 17 straight years.  Throughout, he was always recommending and starting innovations for the club, just one example of the many facets of his love of photographic creativity.

He welcomed me to the club during 2006, always provided sage advice, suggestions and tips, and was instrumental as my mentor when he shrewdly recruited me (or was I just very gullibly volunteered) to run the Salon Exhibition.  I didn’t know what I was getting into, but BG was there to help at every turn.  He constantly did the same to assist all the club’s officers, volunteers and members.

Field trips and shoots with BG were always great fun.  I particularly remember one trip to the North Carolina Mountains, driving through the fog on the Blue Ridge Parkway for dozens of miles while telling stories, no photographs to be seen; we could barely see the hood of the car!  But when the fog cleared just slightly and we stopped at Water Rock Knob, BG came away with a first place winning image, and the fog was the star of that picture.  On another mountain trip, after a long day of shooting, BG trekked to the store specifically to purchase “really good” beer for the group. Shortly, he showed up with a case of “light” beer, much to the chagrin of all his thirsty friends. In his very serious German way he promised to read more carefully next time, and we drank all the beer talking and laughing into the night.  He never heard the end of that one.  It was always great to see BG laugh!  And to laugh with him.

Into the Fog by Bernd Greulich

I urge everyone to further BG’s legacy in two ways.  First, as members of APS: Energize your creativity by continuing to produce fabulous images.  And, whenever you can, contribute to our club’s vitality by helping out as an Officer, Committee Member or volunteer.  Our club is you.  And I am sure that there is nothing BG would want more than for the Atlanta Photographic Society to continue strong into the future.

Second: The club has made a memorial contribution in BG’s honor to The Salvation Army -an organization close to Bernd’s heart- and individual contributions in his honor would be very much appreciated.  He had a big heart for the poor and homeless, and I can tell you as a board member of a local homeless shelter (Journey, not the Salvation Army), the need is great, and your donations will be used effectively.

BG, you enriched this world, and you will be missed.  Peace be with you and yours.

Harp in Heaven by Bernd Greulich