Vernon Roy OBERG

OBERG, Vernon Roy

With great sadness, we announce that Vernon Oberg, known to friends as "VernO," passed away peacefully on November 12, 2017, at the age of 66. Vern was surrounded by his loving family and his fiancée, Lisa St John. Vern was predeceased by his father, William Oberg in 1987. He is survived by his mother, Jane, and five siblings: Ingrid (Rob), Diana, Bill (Barb), Lisa, and Donna. Vern is also survived by his fiancée, Lisa St John, eight nieces and nephews, as well as five grandnephews.
Vern was an icon in the sport of waterskiing and will be greatly missed by the Water Ski community, both locally and worldwide. He started skiing at the age of eight, and began competing as a teenager. His passion and commitment only grew stronger over the last 50 years.
As noted in Water Ski Wakeboard Canada's tribute, "He contributed in so many ways, from starting as a young skier to judging and volunteering in various capacities. He continued on to serve as a leader and was President of his club, his province, his national federation and ultimately the Pan American Confederation. He always put the skier first. He was relentless about that. He fought for them every step of the way," (WSWC) and he insisted on ensuring a level playing field for all athletes.
Further to this, to follow are a few of his major accomplishments (credit to Water Ski Wakeboard Alberta): 1977–1980: President of Alberta's Wizard Lake Water Ski Club; 1985–Present: Fulfilled every executive position of the Wizard Lake Water Ski Club; 1992: President of Water Ski Alberta; 1986–1998: Member of Water Ski Canada's Officials Committee; 1993-1995: President of Water Ski Canada; 1993: Water Ski Wakeboard Canada's representative on the Olympic Committee; 1995–2001: Past President of Water Ski Canada; 1980 and 1982: Alberta Achievement Awards from the Government of Alberta; 1994: Lorraine Kroetsch Memorial Award for Officiating; 2001: Alberta Officiating Recognition Award from Atco Gas – officiating amateur events; 1994: Secretary General of the Pan-Am region of the International Water Ski Federation; 1995–2004: President of the Pan-Am Region on the International Water Ski Federation; 1995: During Vern Oberg's time on the Pan-Am Board, he was instrumental in water skiing being added to the Pan American games; 1999: Pan-Am Games, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Technical Director; 2003: Pan-Am Games, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Set up a non-existing ski site in one week, including building a new jump ramp; 2008: Inducted into the Water ski Wakeboard Canada Hall of Fame – Builder; and in 2017: Water Ski Wakeboard Alberta Hall of Fame Inductee – Builder.
In his professional career, as President of Hukalo Oberg Engineering Ltd., he was equally respected for his passion, skills, and commitment to excellence. Projects of note are the Devon Research Center, as well as the Sturgeon Community Hospital, in which he spent his final days. Special thanks go to Nurse Ashley, Nurse Hailey, and Dr. Adil, for their gentle nature and compassion, with which they showed Vernon.
Tributes continue to pour in from all over the world, recognizing his contributions to the sport, his impact on people's lives, as well as the unique character that was Vern.
Cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life will be held for Vern on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at 2 p.m., at Evergreen Funeral Home & Cemetery, 16204 Fort Rd NW, Edmonton, AB.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Water Ski & Wakeboard Alberta. Please refer to website www.WSWA.ca