A Life of grit, growth, giving back

Charles “Buck” Bernardy was born in St. Paul and raised by his grandparents. When he was three years old, they relocated to Arizona, returning to St. Paul just before he began kindergarten. He attended Ames Elementary, now closed, before his family moved to White Bear Lake, where Charles completed junior high and high school.
From an early age, Charles was active in sports. He began practicing karate at age nine, eventually earning his first-degree black belt and gaining national recognition through competition until he was 17. During junior high, he also participated in a youth bowling league, with a personal best game of 279.
As he entered the workforce and began dating, both karate and bowling took a backseat.
Charles began working at age 14, starting with a janitorial job at an elementary school. He later worked with his brother for White Bear Lake Public Works, doing everything from lifting heavy rocks to patching asphalt streets. His grandmother and uncle ran a restaurant cleaning service, which he helped with regularly.
After high school, Charles and a friend launched their own restaurant cleaning business, servicing venues such as Old Country Buffet and Timberlodge.
Concurrently, Charles installed audio systems in cars and businesses for Audio King, later moving to Circuit City. His skills led him to a management position in Henderson, Nev., where his store became the region’s top location for home satellite and audio system installations. Eventually, he returned to Minnesota for better schooling opportunities for his children and remained at Circuit City until its closure in 2009.
He then joined Motech Corporation in Oakdale, a company specializing in injection molds for plastic, aluminum, and magnesium components. Motech’s client list includes Harley-Davidson, Henry Rifles, and Nordic Ware. In 2017, Charles began working part-time at Built Strong Exteriors while maintaining his role at Motech.
After marrying Heather and relocating to Kasson, he transitioned to full-time work as a Territory Manager for Built Strong Exteriors in Rochester, covering Southern Minnesota. Charles fully embraces the company’s mission of “Our Family Taking Care of Your Family” and is proud to uphold the gold standard in exterior construction for residential, commercial, and multi-family projects.
He currently hires and trains staff, ensures materials arrive on schedule, and sees that each job is completed to customer satisfaction. After severe hailstorms in Kasson in both 2019 and 2024—one affecting his own neighborhood—Charles has worked tirelessly to assist homeowners, not just with roof replacements but with full exterior solutions. His goal is to ensure every client is happy with the result.
After his first marriage ended, Charles lived in Lino Lakes with his three children.  Watching them grow and engage in school activities gave him a deep appreciation for the time his grandfather spent taking him to karate. His oldest son, Kyle (28), played hockey and football. Demetrius (23) excelled in soccer, was nominated for Mr. Soccer, and competed nationwide. Destiny, who would have turned 20 this May, also loved soccer, participated in cheerleading and track, and volunteered at Eagle Brook Church. She was known for her big heart and desire to make the world a better place.
Charles met Heather over the Fourth of July weekend at Bluff Valley Campground in Zumbro Falls—a beloved camping spot for both their families. They connected instantly after a comical ice cube mishap during karaoke and began a long-distance relationship, eventually marrying in May 2023 at the campground, complete with a parade of 40 decorated golf carts.
Heather, originally from Hayfield, has lived in Kasson since 2003. She began working at Burger King at age 14, alongside her mother, grandmother, and several cousins. It was a true family affair, with multiple generations working side by side and creating a memorable dynamic for customers. Longtime locals may remember the legendary customer service of Deb Meldahl (now Leino) and Marie Gilbertson, the mother- daughter duo who became fixtures of the morning crew and whose warmth and work ethic left a lasting impression on the community.
Heather earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Minnesota State University and obtained her MBA shortly after. She currently works at Mayo Clinic as a Senior Access Advisor in the Enterprise Office of Access Management. She has two sons, Wyatt (14) and Levi (12), who are students at Kasson-Mantorville, where they enjoy soccer, 507 Fast gym classes, chess, and card games.
Charles and Heather live in Kasson with their two youngest boys and their dogs, Milo (a golden retriever) and Zoey (a Shorkie). The older boys have moved out but frequently join the family for meals or camping trips.
Rather than sell Charles’s Lino Lakes home, the couple turned it into a short-term rental on VRBO and Airbnb—now a “Guest Favorite” and “Superhost” listing called Lino Home Away from Home. Originally intended as a place to stay when visiting the Twin Cities, they now often have to reserve their own home to use it!
In June 2022, Charles' world changed forever. Destiny surprised him by delivering lunch to him and Demetrius at work — a rare and cherished gesture. That evening, Charles, Heather, and Destiny shopped for new running shoes, followed by dinner at Destiny’s favorite restaurant, Olive Garden. Later that night, she went out with friends and returned home around 10:30 p.m.
The next morning, Charles went to say goodbye before work and found Destiny unresponsive in her bed. She had passed away in her sleep at just 17. There was no warning, no sign of illness. An autopsy revealed she had Lymphocytic Myocarditis, a rare inflammation of the heart muscle typically caused by viral infection. The loss devastated her family and friends, who described her as a bright light in their lives. In her honor, Charles and Heather encourage others to perform random acts of kindness and to always say “I love you.” Forgiveness, of others and oneself, is another value Destiny lived by.
Charles is an avid traveler who prefers meaningful memories over tourist traps. When he took his kids to Florida, they skipped Disney World in favor of three different beaches — a decision that led to unforgettable experiences. He has also taken his family to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and traveled with his Built Strong team to Curaçao. 
Charles and Heather have explored a range of remarkable destinations—from the crystal-clear waters of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where the couple got engaged and later honeymooned, to the vibrant streets of Cartagena, Colombia, and the luxury of Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas. They have also cruised through the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska and, most recently, spent a week in Hawaii, highlighted by a helicopter tour above the iconic “Jurassic Park” waterfalls.
Frequent visitors to Las Vegas, they savor the city’s world-class entertainment, cuisine, and poker scene — an especially meaningful stop for Charles, who fulfilled a lifelong dream by competing in the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2022.
The family enjoys regular visits to Bluff Valley Campground, where they have a year-round site along the river. They watch Eagle Brook Church services together, play games, sing karaoke, and spend quality time with friends and family. Their favorite restaurants include Lucy’s Burgers in Blaine and Hidden Pines in Mantorville. 
Big Minnesota sports fans, Charles and Heather attend a few games each year and are proud season ticket holders for Minnesota United FC.
When it's time to unwind, they enjoy binge-watching TV shows. Their lineup ranges from serious dramas like Bosch: Legacy, Landman, and Blackbird to comedies like How I Met Your Mother, their go-to for light-hearted relief.  
Charles starts each day listing three things he’s grateful for. He enjoys motivational books and always strives to maintain a positive outlook. Despite life’s hardships, he remains one of the most optimistic and kind-hearted people you’ll meet.