Chaplain John W. Berger, CDR (Ret.)
August 6, 1920 - July 12, 2015
John, known affectionately by many as Chaplain John, passed away at his home surrounded by his family.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Willow Glen Funeral Home.
Goodbye Chaplain Berger, I met you when you served at Moffett Chapel where I sang in the choir alongside my mother and father. Your voice rang out above all. You baptized me when I was 16. You officiated my wedding when I turned 21. Your performed communion on Easter Sunday at my parents home when our mother was too ill to go to church. He also baptized my three sons, and my niece in the pool at Moffett Base. Lastly, you came to my father's memorial in 2014 and gave the final prayer. Thank you for everything. I shall never forget you!!!
Debbie Foster
June 16, 2017
I was the Last SongLeader at the Navy Chapel Aboard the USS Hornet Museum-Serving Under Chaplain John W. Berger-Before He Passed Away! I'll Miss Him&His Blessing Everything That I Bought From the Ships Store-Aboard the USS Hornet Museum! I'll Miss Him&Everything He Stands For!-Good Luck&God Bless You-Chaplain John-You Will Be Missed-By Everyone-Especially Me-Your SongLeader-Raymond "Mike" Hong of Oakland, CA! Rest-In-Peace-Chaplain John-Rest-in-Peace!
Raymond "Mike" Hong
June 30, 2016
John was a true friend as he sailed in and out of Pusan, Korea, in 1953, and later in California. He cared about the people he helped and changed their lives. Rest in peace, John.
Margaret Coston
March 1, 2016
While our pastor of Camp Parks United Methodist Church in Dublin, CA, he guided many young families to the Lord & a life time commitment to John & each other. We all loved his impromptu sing along times & look forward to the day we get to sing together again.
John & Sheila Shultz
July 21, 2015
I will miss you grandpa...RIP, til i see you again.
Amanda Nyberg-Trevino
July 20, 2015
Farewell to my good friend and shipmate, Chaplain John Berger...you will be missed by the many who had the good fortune to cross your path...especially those you touched serving in the Navy at Moffett Field. May your family know that they are not alone at this time, and they will be in the thoughts and prayers of thousands.
John was one of those rare people who could touch your soul with a smile and a kind word. I fondly remember the many times we chatted about his memories of Moffett Field and the lovely chapel we all cherished there. His life was entwined with the Navy, the USS Hornet, the CAP, Rotary and so many other wonderful organizations, but his real calling was his ministry to all of us who knew him...his flock. An unbelievably busy and caring man his entire life, but he always had time to chat and maybe share a bite of lunch. I will miss those moments.
Rest in peace thy good and faithful servant. May God bless you and keep you close.
Carl Honaker Cdr USN (Ret)
July 20, 2015
Chaplain John was a wonderful comfort to our family when my father passed away. He cheerfully celebrated Dad's memorial service in beautiful Navy fashion at the old NAS Moffett Field Chapel, a favorite former duty station of his and Dad's. His many years of celebrating divine services aboard the USS HORNET museum contributed mightily to keeping HORNET a living memorial to life aboard ship.
Robert Kanze
July 19, 2015
Chaplain John Berger was an outstanding support for the POW/ MIA wives in the greater Bay Area during the Vietnam War and after. He held conferences for us,
brought in excellent speakers that helped us deal with our sorrow, and kept us
Connected with each other. He was the one who we met with when the announcement came out at the end of the war regarding which POW's were on the
return list. And he continued to stay in touch with my husband, Dick Stratton, and I after Dick's return from Vietnam in 1973. He was a true friend, and I will always be thankful that he was available to us during those grim years.
Alice Stratton
July 17, 2015
"Listen Up!" He was a Rotarian since 1991 and the best example of living by the 4-Way Test. . . not to mention having a fine tenor voice that led us in singing "God Bless America" after each of his fine Invocations. The Club won't be the same without you, Chaplain John, but we will all be better people for having known you.
all our love, Sara & Greg Calkins
Rotary Club of San Jose East/Evergreen
Sara Calkins
July 15, 2015
Rest Your Oar Shipmate...
July 15, 2015
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