Quincy Native Drowns in Southwest Missouri

A Quincy native was the victim of an apparent drowning in southwest Missouri Tuesday afternoon.

The Missouri Water Patrol reports that 56-year-old Rev. Gary Bernhardt of St. Louis was a passenger in a boat that struck a fallen tree and capsized in Lake Taneycomo near Branson.

Bernhardt was swept downstream. By the time he was rescued from the water, he had stopped breathing. He was taken to a Branson hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The operator of the boat and another passenger were not hurt. Bernhardt was not wearing a life jacket.

Bernhardt is a priest in St. Louis. His parents are Carl and Maggie Bernhardt of Quincy.