Richard "Dick" Berg

Richard A. Dick Berg, 94, a surveyor for the Montana State Highway Department and Army Veteran, died of natural causes on Sunday, February, 5, 2012 at Peace Hospice.A memorial service will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.Inurnment will be held at a later date.Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Dick was born on October 5, 1917 in Kindred, North Dakota; he was raised in North Dakota and Glendive, Montana. He attended elementary and high school in Glendive. In March of 1942, he married Shirley Foreman; they eloped to Wibaux, Montana. He went to college at MSU but quit after three years, when his daughter was born.Starting at the age of sixteen, Dick worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad as a painter and later as an Engineer. Dick served in the United States Army and had attained the rank of Sergeant at the time of his discharge. He was a medic and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded and spent many months in a VA Hospital. After WWII, Dick worked for the Montana Highway Department until he had heart by-pass surgery in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the 13th person in the United States to have this surgery done.Dick was adjutant for Winchester Arms Collectors Association for over 22 years. As a side job Dick was a land surveyor and an adult math teacher. Dick was one of the first to teach first aide classes and Hunters Safety. He was a member of the VA, VFW, American Legion and was the President and Secretary for the DAV until May of 2010. He also was on the Board of Directors at the Park Manor Retirement Home and belonged to the Silver Beavers, the Order of the Arrow, Eagle Scouts Board of Review, was a Scout Master in Helena and was a Scout Master of Scout Troop 17, the first and oldest Scout Troop in Montana. Dick enjoyed collecting firearms until a few years ago; his gun collection mainly dated back to the early 1900s and earlier. He loved reading history books. He became a walking encyclopedia. He taught his children and grandchildren all about astronomy and was a dedicated rock hound. In later years, he loved to watch his daughter paint statues and especially enjoyed going for a short ride with his daughter almost every day to wherever. He learned to carry a comb and toothbrush with him because those short rides could be 380 miles in a day. These rides brought a headshake and a huge smile to his face. He also loved to spend time with his friends and grandchildren and delighted in his great grandkids.Survivors include his daughter, Melodie Heisler of Great Falls; a son, Kevin Berg of Gladstone, Queensland, Australia; a daughter-in-law, Elaine Berg; sisters, Francis Ringen of Cheyenne, WY and Shirley Bradford of Pasco, WA; six grandchildren, Stormi Beutler, Kiyana Compentente, Dustin Berg, Tinaya Berg, Travis Berg and Kristen Schindele; and 12 great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley F. Berg; sons Kristian Berg and Rik Berg; his mother, Julia Rosendahl Berg; his stepmother, Selma Rosendahl Berg; his father, Mauritz Moen Berg; three grandsons; a son-in-law, Jim Heisler; brothers, Morris Berg and Stanley Berg; sisters, Julia Berg, Marion Wines, Amy Martens, Ruth Stefanowich and Lillian McPherson.Memorials are suggested to the Silver Beavers, P.O. Box 7315, Great Falls, MT 59406, or to DAV Chapter 2, 600 Plaza Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401.Dad, you were not only the best father, you were also my friend, my guidance counselor and my rock. My world is shattered right now without you, Mom and Jim, but I will pick up the pieces and go on. I made that promise as I did to be with you until your final breath. I love you Dad. We all love you grandpa and great grandpa.