Bernard J. “O-Bie” O’Brien ’50 (1932–2020) was born and raised in Hastings-on-Hudson and remained deeply connected to Hastings High School throughout his life. A class president for four years and a multi-sport athlete, O-Bie graduated in 1950 and went on to Brockport State Teachers College with the encouragement of his mentor, Coach Ron Lindemann. After earning a degree in health and physical education, serving in the U.S. Army, and building a 36-year career in education, O-Bie never forgot the school and community that shaped him.

In the late 1990s, driven by a desire to give back, O-Bie led the effort to revive a dormant Hastings High School alumni association. With the support of family and fellow alumni, years of planning culminated in October 2000 with the official incorporation of the Hastings High School Alumni Association, Inc. (HHSAA) as a New York State not-for-profit organization.

O-Bie envisioned the reestablished HHSAA with a clear mission: to “Pay It Forward” and to keep HHS graduates connected. That vision quickly took shape through the creation of the HHSAA Scholarship Program, designed to support graduating seniors pursuing education beyond high school. The first award, the Ronald W. Lindemann Athletic Scholarship, was presented in 2001. Today, the program has grown to award more than a dozen scholarships annually.

Continuing to expand opportunities for recognition and connection, O-Bie helped establish two signature programs. In 2000, the Ronald Wilson Lindemann Athletic Hall of Fame was created to honor former athletes and coaches for excellence, sportsmanship, and integrity. In 2009, the HHS Hall of Excellence followed, recognizing alumni for outstanding achievements and contributions in fields including the arts, sciences, business, public service, and beyond.

O-Bie attended every induction ceremony, personally welcoming new members into the alumni family. His unwavering dedication ensured that generations of Hastings graduates could reconnect, celebrate excellence, and support future students.

Thanks to O-Bie’s vision and leadership, the HHSAA continues to thrive, uniting alumni across seven decades and advancing its enduring mission.

“A school without a past has no history.”

— Bernard J. “O-Bie” O’Brien ’50