Bergs celebrate 55th wedding anniversary
HCUCC members Dick and Jean Berg celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in April at a dinner with seven friends at The Pines in Davidson. The meal was complete with champagne and a gift to each of the attendees of an Origami necklace with funds going to the Japan Relief Society. The Bergs were married on April 7, 1956.
Jean and Dick Berg
Dick and Jean met in San Francisco at the 10th anniversary of the United Nations (UN). It was a magical weekend, she recalls, which included speeches by Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, a tea dance with former Prime Minister of Canada Lester Pearson, and American political scientist and diplomat Ralph Bunche.
Their first date was to the zoo and a Japanese tea garden. This is where Dick gave Jean an Origami necklace as her college graduation gift.
At the time, Dick was in the US Army serving at a nearby base. They were part of a national student seminar for the UN event. Coincidentally, you will always find the UN flag flying outside their home.
Jean says when she returned from San Francisco to her parents‘ home, she boldly announced, “I‘m going to marry Dick Berg!”
That‘s the moment she knew she wanted to be with him for the rest of her life. After nine dates, including the rehearsal dinner, they were married in a huge formal gala wedding in Jean‘s home church in San Marino, CA.
Their life together has taken them to Pacific Grove, CA; Lowell, MA; Alhambra, CA; South Pasadena, CA; Arlington, VA; St. Charles, MO; St. Louis, MO; Cozumel, Mexico; Charlotte, NC; and Davidson, NC. Jean says each move was “right” in its time.
When the Bergs pose for a family picture, there is no need for a wide-angle lens because there are only six members of their family. They have two sons, Scott and Greg; and two daughters-in-law, Freddi and Barbara. Greg and Barbara live in Durham, and Scott and Freddi live on a sailboat in Washington, D.C. There are no grandchildren, but Jean says while living in Cozumel “…about 20 Mexican children thought we were their abuelos (grandparents)!”
Dick says their life together has been exciting.
“We have had many opportunities and have taken advantage of them,” he says. “Life is good.”
But it hasn‘t been all rosy. Like many, health issues have tested their resiliency.
Jean is a cancer survivor and Dick continues to reclaim his speech and mobility following a recent stroke. Nevertheless, they choose to dwell on the positive.
“The daily challenges of raising a family we like to be with has been fulfilling, humbling and fun,” Jean says.
During their 55 years of marriage, they have always lived far away from their parents or siblings.
“The church has always been our family,” Jean says.
Their faith is the mortar that has kept them grounded throughout the years. Jean finds guidance and sustenance in scripture and contemporary writings.
“We are mutually grounded in faith that informs our lives, where and how we live, our choices of work, use of time, politics, our giving,” she says.
Their faith has also enabled them to weather the challenges they have faced.
“We have been accompanied through these years by the steadfast love and hope of a God whose name is justice,” Jean said.
What has kept them in partnership for more than a half century?
“We both believe that time apart and time together is essential,” Jean says. “For over 30 years, we have gone out to breakfast together every Saturday morning–no matter where we are. Usually, we go alone, but occasionally we invite a friend—cloth napkins only!”
They also encourage couples to travel the world, “It‘s the best life‘s education you‘ll ever get,” Jean says.
The qualities Dick admires most about Jean is her steadiness, reliability in time of crisis, and sense of humor. Jean says she admires Dick‘s sheer goodness, curiosity and fun.
“He‘s my best friend,” she says.
Recently, someone asked Dick, how long they have been married.
“Fifty-five years, not long enough.”
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