Sgt. Isiah G. Bernstein

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Sergeant Isaiah Guy Bernstein, USMC, 21, of Charlottesville, died Aug. 12, 2018, outside of Parker, Arizona, in a tragic car accident, while attending advanced free fall school with his recon unit.

He was born Sept. 3, 1996, in Blacksburg, Virginia, the son of Matthew and Julie Bernstein of Charlottesville.

Though he lived to just shy of his 22nd birthday, Isaiah lived his years to the fullest. Isaiah had many hobbies, activities, and adventures over the years, which he pursued and loved with a passion. Trying to rank what might have been his favorite is hard, but among the things he enjoyed were music, motorcycles, sports and adventure. From an early age, it was clear that Isaiah had a gift for music, like his mother. He played multiple instruments and loved to compose, arrange, study theory and create pieces as well as perform.

He inherited a love of motorcycles and adventure early on from his dad, and talked all of the time about the Harley he was going to buy and ride up to visit once he was stationed at Camp Lejeune. Though not a fan of any particular team, and not one to watch much sports on television, Isaiah loved to be active and enjoyed playing multiple sports and working out (sometimes three times a day!). But perhaps, the sport we will remember most are the soccer games that he played with his younger sister in the front yard.

Isaiah found his greatest adventure, and perhaps his calling, when he joined the Marine Corps to become a Reconnaissance Marine in the fall of 2015. After graduating boot camp at Parris Island, and successfully making it through the grueling reconnaissance course in Camp Pendleton, California, Isaiah was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. While there, Isaiah participated in multiple training exercises across the region, and had the opportunity to travel to Guam, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Australia. However, the last 6 months in the service were perhaps his happiest. After attending free fall school in April, Isaiah developed a deep love of jumping out of airplanes. It makes us happy to think of the young kid who had a mild fear of heights overcoming that fear to find such joy. He was in the midst of attending an advanced free fall school in Arizona when he had his accident.

On the personal side, we would be remiss if we did not mention his love for his family, his friends, his pets, and his God. His genuine heart, along with the combination of his calm quiet presence, his steady demeanor, and his can-do attitude won him many loyal and faithful friends. Isaiah was mature beyond his years and would light up the room with his smile. That is going to be missed.

Isaiah leaves behind a vast array of family, friends and Marine brothers who loved him dearly. He is survived by his parents, Matthew and Julie Bernstein of Charlottesville; his sister, Anna Lou Bernstein of Charlottesville; his grandmother, Linda Bernstein of Hagerstown, Maryland; his grandparents, John and Barbara Neahring of Sterling; his uncle and aunt, Jacob and Kristin Bernstein of Littleton, Colorado; his uncle and aunt, Joe and Michelle Good of Hedgesville, West Virginia; his uncle, Mitch Neahring of Joliet; his uncle and aunt, Mike and Betsy Neahring of Evansville, Indiana; his uncle and aunt, Jay and Cheri Book of Sterling; his uncle and aunt, Rick and Sara Neahring of Salem, Oregon; his uncle and aunt, Bill and Diane Knapp of Germantown, Wisconsin; and his uncle and aunt, Randy and Kym Taylor of Charlotte, North Carolina. He also is survived by his many cousins, Nichole, Adam, Aja, Lila, D.W., Hannah, Daniel, Jensen, Bryson, Joshua and Bridgette. Additionally, he is survived by many extended relatives, countless friends, and a host of Marine brothers across the world.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Barry Bernstein.

There will be a service to celebrate Isaiah’s life at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, with Bill Copeland officiating. All are welcome to attend this service. Isaiah will be buried in a private ceremony this fall at Arlington National Cemetery, where his grandfather also is buried.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation in Isaiah’s name. Donations can be sent to 19915 Rough and Ready Trail, Sorona, CA, 95370, or visit reconfoundation.org and follow the donate button. Additionally the family hopes to set up a memorial fund to honor Isaiah’s legacy.