Bernard (Barney) Mergen, author of “At Pyramid Lake, Snow in America, Weather Matters: An American Cultural History Since 1900,” and other books on American history, died on Feb. 13, 2024, at age 86.
Bernard Matthew Mergen, IV, was born in Reno, Nevada, March 30, 1937, to the late Katharine Norrid Mergen and Bernard M. Mergen, III, both journalists. Both his grandfathers worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. William Andrew (Andy) Norrid was a section foreman who was once in charge of the last all-Chinese extra-gang on the SP. This fact may seem trivial, but Mr. Mergen felt that it linked him to large issues in history.
He received his bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno, and master of arts and PhD in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. He taught at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, the Community College of Philadelphia, Grinnell College, the Free University of Berlin, the National University of Mongolia, and from 1970 to 2005, at George Washington University. He was a visiting lecturer in more than a dozen countries and was senior editor of the scholarly journal “American Studies International” from 1980 to 2004, and assistant editor of “American Quarterly” from 1988 to1991.
He wrote and published some poetry, especially in retirement at the mountain retreat, “Peregrina” that he and Claudia Spohnholz, his beloved wife of 36 years, designed and built in Pendleton County, lured here out of Washington, DC, by the sheer beauty of the county and the warmth of its people. He was extremely proud of his son, Andrew, and his daughter, Alexandra. He had five lifetime friends, scores of talented and productive students and colleagues, and shared residences with nine distinguished cats (serially), a giant horse named Sassy, two miniature donkeys, and a flock of laying hens – no one could ask for more.
From his remarkable mother he got his sense of humor and learned to love literature and life. When he was about 9 years old, she asked him to describe himself in three phrases. He answered without hesitation: “1. Barney Mergen. 2. A boy. 3. One among many.” He would answer the same today.
“Weather Matters” received the 2011 Louis J. Battan Award from the American Meteorological Society for “an outstanding book on the atmospheric sciences that fosters public understanding in adult audiences.” “Snow in America” was recognized by the International Skiing History Association with its Ullr Award. He tried to live his life according to the maxim of Miguel de Unamuno: “If it is nothingness that awaits us, let us make an injustice of it … let us fight against it quixotically.” His faith came from the lines of Richard Hugo: “Pray hard to weather, the lone surviving god./that in some sudden wisdom we surrender.” He agreed with Loren Eiseley that, “It is the rain that speaks last to the heart.” (And it snowed for him on the morning he died.)
In keeping with the Mergen tradition, no memorial service is planned.
In lieu of flowers and cards, he requested his friends adopt an abused animal, pick up trash along a road or riverbank, or give a homeless person $50.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.
