I feel very privileged to have been asked to give this Eulogy on Richard Henry Berg, PAUL HARRIS FELLOW -  Rick – (don’t call me Richard….that’s only when I’m in trouble), who  was born in Camberwell on 16 November 1946 to Harold and Beth Berg.

He attended Camberwell Grammar and Swinburne Tech and later, R.M.I.T. studying Architectural Drafting.

Jan and Rick were married in 1969 at the Toorak Presbyterian Church and lived in Darling Street, South Yarra, then Power Street Hawthorn and subsequently in Beech Street Caulfield South. where they renovated a weatherboard house with the help of Grampy George, Jan’s father.

Subsequently, after living in a house Rick designed in Humphries Road, Frankston South and several others, Jan and Rick finally settled in Mornington in Carnoustie Grove.  A great move into a lovely new building that he designed for his extended family.

Rick worked for numerous architects including Stephenson and Turner, working on a number of hospitals in Australia and overseas. He also worked on the first Anaerobic chamber for Prof. Clarke, the Bionic ear doctor.

In late seventies early eighties, he set up a business called Alpine Design Services and did some work at Falls Creek for the tow company. He also set up Eliza Designs in Mount Eliza and among his first jobs were the Indoor Tennis Centre at Frankston and work on the Mornington Yacht Club..

In the early years the family skied, but Rick’s love was sailing and he was a member of the Mornington Yacht Club for over 30 years. Rick had his own Etchell – a one design racing yatch – called  ‘The Three Stooges’. Over the years he has also sailed with Tom Milvain, John Hall and latterly with John Rouse on ‘Rouseabout’. His 60^th birthday was celebrated on ‘Wild Thing’ with his friend, skipper and owner  Grant Wharington.

 

 

 

 

Rick also had a passion for cars and over the years has had a Ford Prefect, a silver 1969 Holden Monaro GT (which was his love, ,a  lime green Datsun 180B, a white Fiat 500 (his second love), a yellow Toyota wagon, an orange Renault 16, a silver Mazda MX-5 and his last car, a silver Mercedes 250 coupe. He always kept all of them meticulously clean.

Rick grew up in a Rotary family and  became a member of Frankston Central Rotary in 1981, where he held the office of President. In 1988, Graham Reid “headhunted” Rick into the Rotary Club of Mount Eliza and until his passing Rick was a strong contributor to the club’s activities. He was oft times heard to remark that he enjoyed the companionship seeing he was mainly working on his own- that is along with Jan as Secretary and boss lady.

In Rick’s 38 years of Rotary membership, he has taken on many roles in our Club  - Community Service Director 2000-2001 and On to Conference Chair, Sergeant at Arms 2009-2010, Assistant Sergeant 2017-2018.  He was an excellent Sergeant, and was always ready to assist with BBQ’s, Farmers Markets’ , Garage Sales and the like.

Rick has had an amazing attendance record over many years.  Unless he was away with Jan and the family or sick, Rick was at Rotary.  He has a founders’ seat on ‘the naughty boys’ table, which he has bequeathed to David Rew, and often asked “why are we the naughty boys table…we don’t talk over the announcements or the guest speaker!!

When Rick and Jan operated their business in Mt Eliza, they were very generous to Rotary with secretarial assistance including photocopying and printing.  As a couple the Bergs always supported every social function that ever happened and were responsible for organising several fellowship nights at a local winery in Moorooduc.

Rick has been a highly committed, long term Rotarian and will be sorely missed.