Bernard Walsh Mehren ’36 died peacefully at home in Rancho Santa Fe on Friday, May 29, 2009, with his son, John, daughter-in-law, Marcy, and grandchildren, Joe, Andrew, and Laurelyn at his bedside. He was born on October 23, 1914 in South Orange, N.J., to Edward J. and Grace W. Mehren. He was a resident of Rancho Santa Fe for 53 years. Barney graduated from Brophy Preparatory High School in Phoenix, Arizona, attended the University of Santa Clara, and graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. A long time, professionally licensed chemical engineer, he worked for Crown Cork and Seal, was the chief chemist for the Squirt Beverage Company’s bottling plant in San Diego, and was founder and chairman of PM Chemical Company since 1942. He invented many detergent and cleaning formulas in his long career with the company. He attended the University of Chicago to train as a meteorologist and was assigned to the Army Air Corps based in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. He flew on board many a bombing run in B-24 Liberators over the Northern Kurile Islands, Japan as a weather observer. While in The Aleutians, Barney and a colleague discovered and documented winds aloft, now referred to in meteorology as the jet stream. He attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, received The Air Medal, and was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1945. One of his great passions, besides his family, was singing and music. He sang in the choirs at both St. James Church and The Church of the Nativity, soloing at most Saturday evening Masses. He was a member of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Western Lieutenancy. He traveled extensively with his family, and later on around the world with his wife Loraine. Barney was predeceased by his son, Leo; and his wife of 46 years, Loraine. He leaves behind many friends and family including sons, Bernie, John, (Marcy), and Jim; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his loving caregiver, Gracie; and devoted gardener, Jesus.