Clarence Sam Berger

C. SAM BERGER  1928 ~ 2018  
On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, Clarence Sam Berger peacefully entered into eternal life. Devoted husband of Emma Berger Restovic; loving father of Jennifer Berger and the late Jocelyn Berger (1961-2012) and Andrew Berger (1962-2005). For 60 years, Sam shared his wonderful life with his best friend and wife, Emma. After growing up in Pottsville, PA he served in the U.S. Air Force and then went to Drexel University where he earned a B.S. in 1955 and furthered his education earning his MBA at Loyola University in 1974 and his Master of Science from Johns Hopkins University in 1987. His 40+ year engineering career as a NASA contractor took him on projects all over the world including Canada, Germany, Japan, Korea, Australia, Mexico and Chile. Highlights include working on the first manned space flight programs, Mercury where he was stationed in Antofagasta Chile and met the love of his life, Gemini and Apollo and continued through the Space Shuttle missions that launched the Hubble Space Telescope and set up the International Space Station. Sam was a great gardener, world traveler, loved exploring science, culture, music and the natural world and was known to break into dance with his lovely wife, daughters or any lady friends who could keep up.Family and Friends are invited to call at the Witzke Funeral Home, 5555 Twin Knolls Rd., Columbia, MD 21045 on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin River Rd., Columbia 21044 followed by interment at Columbia Memorial Park, 12005 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029.In lieu of flowers, donate to Catholic Relief Services via www.support.crs.org to make contribution in memory of Sam Berger (please click "notify family' option). On-line condolences may be made at: www.witzkefuneralhomes.com