Howard Berger
July 23, 1928-Aug. 6, 2024
Auburn, California

Howard Peter Berger passed away peacefully in Auburn, CA on August 6, 2024, at the age of 96. He was born in Lewiston, Idaho, the son of Howard J. and Thora D. (Wang) Berger. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary, and a son, Scott. He is survived by his children Patricia, Rosemary, Michael, Kelly, and Karsten, a dozen grandchildren, and numerous great- and great-great grandchildren.

Howard was a quiet family man, but when prompted with questions from them, he recalled his Lewiston childhood fondly, including stories about family trips to Seattle to visit aunts and grandparents, tennis with his younger brother, and fishing and camping along the Clearwater River. His parents taught him bridge, which he mastered and then taught his children in turn, enjoying the game throughout his long life.

Howard graduated from the University of Idaho, Moscow in Education. At the age of 22, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Korean Conflict where he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts for his bravery and heroism.

After discharge he became a successful science and math teacher in Menlo Park School District California. For nearly 30 years he bravely taught 7th and 8th grade students the nuances of the scientific method, as well as introducing them to computers (a groundbreaking subject at the time), tide pools, geology, astronomy, physics, and chemistry. While teaching, he earned a Masters’ Degree from San Jose State.

Howard married Mary (and bravely, her four children ages 11 to 4) in 1958 and set up housekeeping in San Jose California. Two years later Kelly was born, followed by Karsten two years after that. To maintain their brood, Howard worked second jobs, including several summer seasons as a ranger at Grand Canyon. Howard and his family traveled throughout the country extensively.

Howard and Mary retired in the mid-1980s to Dutch Flat, CA. They continued to travel, garden and spent many afternoons reading and entertaining family. Howard was an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors. They moved once more to Aptos in Santa Cruz County in 2012, where Mary passed away in 2021. Howard had moved back to Placer County very recently before his death.

Throughout his adult life, Howard was deeply focused on his family. He gave them his quiet strength, his perseverance, and his well-tempered, dry sense of humor. He shared with them his love of learning. His children remember his calm and steady demeanor, his gentle kindness, his leadership in the family without being a disciplinarian. They fondly recall all the things they did together from the time they were children to recent times when they were all seniors together. Mary always called him her rock, and he was absolutely devoted to her, and even as the infirmities of old age intruded, he loved every one in his family bravely and unconditionally. He will be profoundly missed.

Tags: veteran, teacher/educator