By Rebecca Goodman
Enquirer staff writer

MACK - Robert Berninger Sr., manager of the stately bank at Eighth and State in Price Hill for 43 years, died Saturday at the hospice at Mercy Franciscan Western Hills. The Mack resident was 88.

Originally the West End Bank, it was the Cincinnati Bank and Trust Co. when he began working there in 1938. Fifth Third Bank acquired it in 1952. Mr. Berninger was one of the last branch managers to handle commercial and industrial loans, according to his son Paul of Miami Township, Hamilton County.

"In the Eighth and State area at one time there were a lot of industries," his son said. Mr. Berninger handled their financial needs.

Among the elders at the Elder High School alumni reunions, Mr. Berninger was a member of the class of 1933. He grew up on Iliff Avenue near the Price Hill school and graduated from Littleford-Nelson Business College in Cincinnati during the Great Depression.

He became assistant vice president of Cincinnati Bank and Trust in 1938.

"That's where he met my mother," his son said. "She worked there also.

"As he said, he was a friend of all the street people that were hanging out on the corner. He always felt that nobody was going to rob that bank because there were so many people protecting it. They kept an eye on who went in."

Mr. Berninger retired as assistant vice president and branch manager of Fifth Third in 1981.

For a number of years, he participated in Junior Achievement, a program that teaches students how to run a small business. They conducted businesses as an exercise, and Mr. Berninger taught them how to do their banking.

He was also a member of the board of the Espy Boys and Girls Club for about 20 years.

Mr. Berninger was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Rathman Berninger, and a son, William "Billy" Berninger.

In addition to Paul, survivors include three other sons, John of Miami Township, Hamilton County, Steven of Delhi Township and Robert Jr. of Green Township; a daughter, Linda Erhart of Colerain Township; two brothers, Howard of Lebanon and Edwin of Westwood; a sister, Ruth Sander of Delhi Township; his companion, Ella Miller of Dent; and 15 grandchildren.

Visitation is 8:30 a.m. today followed by Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Visitation Church, 3172 South Road in Mack. Burial will be at St. Joseph (new) Cemetery in Price Hill.

Memorials: The Cooperative for Education, 2730 Hyde Park Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45209 or Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597.