Bernard Steverlynck

In 1943, Bernard Steverlynck, the eldest son of Karel and brother of Emmanuel, joined the company. Born on 14 January 1920 in Kortrijk, ‘Mister Bernard’ took his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Louvain University in 1943. In those days he was already a close friend of Mayor Dehem; a friendship that would intensify over the years and would form the basis of the industrial resurrection of the Ypres area. Bernard started at Picanol as Managing Director and later became the Chairman of the Board of Directors. In addition to his professional activities, he soon became very much involved in local social life. A former member of the Louvain student brass band and an enthusiastic football fan, he fervently promoted the establishment of the Picañol Brass band as well as WAP Sport (to be continued). Indeed, Bernard’s interests stretched beyond Picañol. Countless trade organizations called on his many talents: he chaired the Fabrimetal-Beide Flanders for quite some time, held the presidency of the Syndicate of Belgian Textile Machine Manufacturers, and was a Social Judge at the Employment Court in Ypres. His keen interest in social life earned him honorary chairmanships of the Picañol Brass Band and White Star Ypres football club. Today, his name still lives on in the annual pigeon flight 'Bernard Steverlynck Grand Prix' and in the drawing competition of the Bernard Steverlynck Art Circle.

(photo: Bernard Steverlynck with the Belgian king Baudouin).