Craig M. Berge

Berge, Craig M.
Craig M. Berge passed away on December 7th at the age of 82. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Jewel Linebaugh and Charles M. Berge. Craig was brought to Arizona when he was ten days old, raised in Phoenix and Mesa, where he graduated from Mesa High School in 1953. It was in high school he met his wife of 56 years, Nancy (Haddad) Berge. Craig attended the University of Arizona where he was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Tau Beta PI (engineering honorary), selected to the senior men's honorary, and Bobcats at the University of Arizona. Upon his graduation, he was listed in the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. His entire life, he remained heavily involved in activities and charities. Craig worked for Airesearch Manufacturing Corporation for five years and during that time, he became a Registered Professional Engineer and earned an MBA Degree from Arizona State University. In 1962, he joined the family business, Berge Ford, and began its expansion. Under his leadership, Berge Ford grew to be one of the top 100 Ford dealerships in the United States. Craig ran multiple businesses in multiple states, including construction, land development, farming and cattle feeding operations. There were many facets to his business life. As a businessman, Craig became heavily involved in activities and charities of his community, state, and as an alumnus of the University of Arizona. He served on the Alumni Board, the University of Arizona Foundation Board of Trustees and became Chairman of that Board, and on the University of Arizona National Leadership Council. Craig's Wildcat blood ran deep. In 2001, Craig was presented with the Sydney S. Woods Alumni Service Award for his loyalty and service to the University of Arizona. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 from the University Of Arizona Eller College Of Business and the College of Engineering and Mines. His Community involvement included Planning and Zoning Chairman, Traffic Safety Committee, Chamber of Commerce, East Valley Partnership, Roosevelt Water Conservation District, and Mesa Hohokams. In his younger years, Craig's spare time was spent designing and building a dragster. At the age of 19, while driving that dragster, he became the first person in Arizona to exceed 100 MPH in a quarter mile at the Marana Drag strip. One of Craig's passions included being a member and Commodore of the Desert Boat and Ski Club. After many victories throughout the United States, his most cherished was The Pacific Coast Speedboat and Water Skiing Racing Association Champion Boat Driver in 1967. Craig was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He displayed his love for family and friends daily with perceptive caring insights, his knowledge, humor and moral support when needed. He was bright, well educated and handsome; yet sincerely unpretentious. He enjoyed and cared for people from all walks of life and friendships that had no material boundaries. The last years of his life have been filled with the joys of participating in his five grandchildren's lives. He was their number one fan and biggest supporter, in every facet of their lives. Craig is survived by his wife Nancy and two daughters: Charlene Berge-Blum and Barbi (Shawn) Woolsey; grandchildren Madisson and Sterling Blum, Weston (Rachael) Woolsey, James Craig Flake, Brett Woolsey; one brother, Brent C. (Debbie) Berge; sisters-in-law Lou Anna (Kenneth) Whitley and Patricia Abel; eight nieces and nephews and a host of long-time friends. A visitation will be held Wednesday, December 20th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Meldrum's Mortuary, 52 North Macdonald in Mesa, AZ. A Celebration of Craig's Life will be held on Thursday, December 21st at 11:00 a.m. at Red Mountain Institute of Religion, 7126 East McKellips Road in Mesa, AZ. Internment immediately following services at City of Mesa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Craig may be made to: Craig M. Berge Excellence in Mechanical Engineering Scholarship/UAFoundation 1111 North Cherry Avenue Tucson, Arizona 85721-0109. Child Crisis Arizona 817 North Country Club Drive Mesa, Arizona 85201 Childcrisisaz.org.