Robert D.W. Berg

Robert "Bob" Berg, 89, passed away on Dec. 5, 2016 at his La Junta home surrounded by his family. He was born on Sept. 10, 1927 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Herman & Carrie (Nordstrom) Berg. He married Virginia "Virgie" R. Anderson on Sept. 23, 1949; she preceded him in death on Oct. 20, 2011.

Bob attended the University of MN and in 1949 married Virgie Anderson of Frazee, MN. Bob and Virgie moved to Bloomington MN where they raised four children.

Bob worked in the family business, DeBourgh Manufacturing Company his entire life. He started as a truck driver and was promoted to the President after the passing of his father, Herman Berg in the mid-1950’s. He also worked there as a mechanical engineer, designed and developed the locker division and a distribution network of dealers throughout the nation. He also had the ability to run every piece of equipment in the factory. Bob was a jack of all trades: fix-it man, carpenter, mechanic, and inventor and holds six US patents for various latching and locking mechanisms and equipment.

In 1990, DeBourgh moved to La Junta, CO and Bob and Virgie followed the family in 1991, building their dream house. Bob was active in several service organizations including Koshares and the Key Leaders, La Junta Lions Club, and Brother in the Freemasons and Shriners. Bob was a very generous man, he was a major donor to the Rotary International Foundation and the United Methodist Church of La Junta. He was a devoted church member and sang in his church choirs his entire life.

Bob also had a love for restoring old cars and was a member of the MN and CO Packard clubs. As an avid traveler, he and Virgie took many road trips across the country with friends in the Packard clubs. He received numerous national awards for his restored autos.
Bob was respected and loved by many, he was a wonderful father with a fantastic sense of humor and was like a father to all his children’s friends. He and the love of his life, Virgie created a great partnership and all were welcomed into their family home.

Bob is survived by his children, Steve (Mary) Berg of La Junta, Janet Berg of La Junta, Darilyn (Alan Dale) Berg of La Junta, and Rob (Sue) Berg of La Junta; sister, Marilyn Williams of Bloomington, MN; grandchildren, Julie (Alex) Baird of Colorado Springs, Emily Berg of Ft. Collins, Daniel (Audrey) Berg of La Junta, Patrick (Lauren) Berg of La Junta and Rachel Berg of La Junta; great-grandchildren, Collin Allen, Graham Baird, Ruby Berg, Austyn Berg, Leila Berg, Isabelle Berg and Constance Berg. He was preceded in death his parents, his wife, and his sister, Corrine Christensen.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of La Junta with DeEtta Goettel officiating. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 9, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow the funeral service at Fairview Cemetery.

Those wishing to do so may make memorial donations to the United Methodist Church of La Junta, 601 San Juan Avenue, La Junta, CO, 81050 or to the Koshare Museum, P.O. Box 580, La Junta, direct or through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.