Jim Bernhardt, an All-America offensive and defensive lineman who helped Linfield to its first appearance in a national championship football game, has died. He was 82.
 
As an offensive tackle, Bernhardt blocked for the 1961 Camellia Bowl squad that, over 40 years later, still ranks second in school history in rushing yards (2,682), third in rushing average (243.8 yards per game), fifth in touchdown passes (21) and sixth in first downs.
 
In 1961, Bernhardt was a first-team NAIA All-America selection at offensive tackle and earned all-Northwest Conference honors in during his final two seasons. He was a four-year football letterman under coach Paul Durham. During his career at Linfield, the Wildcats went 29-7-2 and won the 1961 Northwest Conference title.

Bernhardt also competed in track and field in the shot put and discus.
 
He was inducted into the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.
 
After graduating from Linfield, he signed a professional contract with the Dallas Texans of the American Football League. He was inducted into the NAIA District 2 Hall of Fame in 1993.

Bernhardt went on to a distinguished Oregon high school football coaching career in 14 seasons at Siuslaw, Reynolds and Scappoose. Reynolds was the state runner-up in 1965, while Scappoose reached the state final in 1972 and 1974.

Bernhardt was born in Portland, Ore. He graduated from North Bend (Ore.) High, where he competed in football, track and field and basketball. His son, Mark, was a four-year letterman at center for the Wildcats from 1996-99.
 
A memorial service for Jim Bernhardt is planned for Monday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.