Beloved Community Leader Bernie Jeltema Leaves Lasting Legacy

Bernard 'Bernie' Jeltema, a renowned figure in his community and industry, passed away on January 13, 2026, at the age of 90. Born on September 17, 1935, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bernie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Throughout his life, Bernie pursued various passions, including parenting, gardening, home repair, music, cooking, photography, hiking, traveling, bird watching, and woodworking. He was also an avid fan of baseball and football, particularly the Wolverines. A kind soul with a good sense of humor, Bernie was known for being gentle, humble, genuinely interested in others, generous, patient, supportive, loving, and caring.

Bernie's spiritual journey began as Dutch Reform, but he later became Presbyterian in his early 20s and remained committed to his faith throughout his life. He attended Calvin College before transferring to the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a B.S. in Physics. A semester shy of completing a Master's degree in Physics at UofM, Bernie was recruited by IBM, where he worked from September 1958 to December 1989.

During his time at IBM, Bernie held various positions and was promoted frequently. He co-created BS/PSA, IBM's first Data Warehouse Methodology, which was a crowning achievement in his career. In 1989, Bernie created Strategic Frameworks, Inc. (SFI), a company that specialized in long-range planning and data warehouse consulting. He also taught a Data Warehouse Certification program at the University of California, Irvine Extension for over 15 years.

Bernie's philanthropic efforts were equally impressive. He envisioned and spearheaded the House of Ruth, which, in conjunction with Family Promise of Orange County, began helping homeless families in 2023. Due to his significant contributions, FPOC created a Visionary Award in Bernie's name. In lieu of flowers or memorial trees, donations were requested on his behalf to be made to the House of Ruth.