In Memoriam: Matthew Bernhardt

Matthew Robert Bernhardt, a second-year finance major in the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, passed away on Dec. 22, 2025. He was 19.

Mr. Bernhardt will be remembered for his contagious energy, fierce competitiveness, and the deep loyalty he showed to his friends and family.

"I loved when Bern would yell at me over football and the Ravens. The amount of passion he had for his sports teams was truly inspiring and a joy to watch," shared junior Matthew Barreira. "Bern always brought a fun vibe to any room he walked in no matter what he did and was a true character. Definitely going to miss bonding over sports with Bern and making fun of each other's teams. Love you, Bern."

Mr. Bernhardt left a lasting impression on everyone around him.

"Matt was one of a kind to say the least," said Ethan Ferrara, a junior psychology major remembered. "Getting to live with him in our house gave me so many priceless memories. Whether it was us playing stupid pranks on each other or yelling and pushing each other to be better, it was always something. He was fierce and had a competitive spirit like no other. I think anyone that regularly came over and spent time with us would say he was the life of the house. He was incredibly energetic, funny and strong-spirited. He was an honest and loyal friend who had a huge heart and an ability to love and care for his family and friends like no other."

Mr. Bernhardt was deeply driven and hardworking. He was a brother of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and he dedicated himself fully to his academics and personal pursuits.

"Matt will be in our hearts and minds in all we do going forward, especially in the house," Ferrara said. "I am so lucky for the time I spent with him, the funny memories, and the things I got to learn from him."

Mr. Bernhardt's legacy lives on through the friendships he built, the laughter he brought and the passion with which he lived his life.

The UD community can find the obituary and share memories at https://www.evansfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Matthew-Bernie-Bernhardt?obId=46786508