In memoriam: Honoring Akron METRO Board President Bernard M. Bear

The public transportation community is mourning the loss of longtime Akron, Ohio, resident and transit enthusiast Bernard M. Bear, who passed away Jan. 27, 2022.  

Bear’s passion for transit was exemplified daily as a long-standing member of Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Board of Trustees, serving on numerous board committees and as board president. His time as board president fluctuated over his 40+ years of service. During his tenure, Bear was instrumental in securing financial stability at Akron Metro through sales tax initiatives, including the latest 0.25 percent sales tax securement in 2008. He led the formation of the Akron Metro Citizens Advisory Committee (1974), which acted as a liaison between the general public and the board to provide input and feedback, and led Akron Metro through the opening of the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center (2009).  

Outside of his duties as a board member, Bear invested his time in researching fleet sizes and bus routes of transit systems across the nation and in Canada. He published a multi-page document titled “Akron: A Long Battle Is Over” that detailed the evolution of public transportation in Akron. To date, Bear stayed apprised in current events and initiatives at Akron Metro.  

Bear graduated from Buchtel High School (Akron) and attended The Ohio State University. He retired as an industrial sales representative and was a member of many organizations and professional associations, including the Motor Bus Society, Canadian Urban Transit Association, Light Rail Transit Association and the Ohio Museum of Transportation.