Bernd Arie Sturgeon

Sept 9, 2005 - Feb 24, 2024

The meaning of the name Bernd is Brave As a Bear, and Like a bear he was. Bernd loved being in the woods and in natural habitats. He loved the smell of fall and the salty ocean. Although, as a teenager he was irritated by those crows in the tree outside his window that woke him before school, his heart and mind was always in the great beyond of the outdoors.

Bernd had the stamina to ski all day long and would ski the mountain well into dark.  Like a bear, he never seemed to get cold. He would surf in the cold ocean water even during the fall. He often thought about and tried to protect the changing environment. Even as a youngster, he was involved in lobbying the Old Orchard Beach Town Hall to bring awareness to the changing local tides. He continued to be a true Mainer at heart, loving Maine from the mountains to the sea.

Always in motion, he could be found around town skateboarding with his friends and spending time at the skatepark. Never seen without a white can of Monster Energy, he was a constant presence amongst his friends, among which he could count many. He practiced running, boxing, Jiujitsu, and nature survival skills for living in the Maine woods- building his own lean-to forts in patches of woods as young as 10. When he saved up money and bought a moped, he would zip about Old Orchard with his books strapped to its front in an old milk carton. To all that knew him, he was an unbound spirit that looked to the sky. Known as Bounty to his extended family and dearest friends he was kind, sensitive and loving.  He enjoyed gatherings for family holidays and events and was especially fond of delicious home cooked food. Bernd enjoyed the simple things in life and we all loved him dearly for the wonderful spirit that he was.

Always tinkering, Bernd held a deep fundamental interest in how things worked- taking apart and rebuilding his own computers and eventually 3d printers.  A sharp and intelligent young man, he was ahead of his time in terms of understanding 3d printing, coding linux and mechanics. He graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School and enrolled in SMCC, planning for a future in the mechanical and technological fields, particularly machining and printing. He had many plans for his future and was looking forward to finishing his schooling and looking for land or a home to purchase here in Maine.

He will forever be in our hearts, Our Brave Bear.

Bernd is survived by his mother, sister, brother and in the hearts of many he dwells in still.

A private funeral and memorial will be planned at a later date.