Eric Wilhelm Berg

ERIC WILHELM BERG, 87

Music Educator

Eric Wilhelm Berg died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on Saturday, November 29, 2008 aged 87 years. He was born in Forest Lake, MN on July 28, 1921, the sixth child of Peter Emanuel and Judith Alma Lindgren Berg, both immigrants from Sweden. He attended Phillips University in Enid, OK where he received the Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1947, interrupted by service in the US Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946. Graduate studies include a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University and post graduate studies at Florida State University. 

He held elective offices in the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Vocal Association and served two years as president of the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association. He directed the Lakeland High School Band and Chorus during the first decade after it moved to its Hollingsworth address and was music supervisor for Lakeland schools afterward. He retired as Assistant Principal of Lakeland Highlands Junior High School in 1983.

He served as president of the Lakeland Concert Association, and was a charter member of the Lakeland (now Imperial) Symphony Orchestra for thirty years, first playing bassoon and later the cello. He was the longtime choirmaster at St David’s Episcopal Church, First Methodist Church and several other churches in Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven.

In addition to his career in music and education, Eric was interested and active in flying, inter-continental traveling, gardening, reading and associating with people.  He was twice elected a delegate to the Democratic National Convention supporting the candidacy of Jimmy Carter.  He was among the Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine from its origin.  

He married Regena M. Keller in 1950.  She preceded him in death Nov. 9, 1989. In 1992 he married Virginia Cavanah, the widow of James Cavanah. Also preceding him in death is a daughter Connie Berg Plunkett. Two sons survive him: Colonel Eric W. Berg, III, MD, US Army and Thomas R. Berg, Marietta, GA as well as three grandsons, Shawn Plunkett, Ethan and Andrew Berg, one granddaughter, Erica Berg,  two stepsons, Douglas and David Cavanah and their five children. 

A memorial service will be held at the Lakeside Baptist Church chapel in Lakeland at 10:00 am, Tuesday, December 2^nd. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine or the Good Shepherd Hospice.

Comments

[Curt Wheeler]

Hello,

I was sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Berg. I went through Lakeland public schools (Southwest Elementary and Junior, and Lakeland High), and while my interests/abilities did not lend themselves to the music programs (!!), I remember well Mr. Berg visiting the schools with music instruction for all.

I currently serve on the board of directors of Imperial Symphony Orchestra, and his involvement as a charter member of this group is in of itself a nice legacy!

My condolences to the family. It sounds like Mr. Berg had a life well-lived, and thus succeeded at something we all shoot for!