Dr. Milton B. Bergal

1926 - 2016

Milton B. "Milt" Bergal, M.D., age 90, of Ogden Dunes, Indiana, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 22, 2016 with his wife, Linda, of 22 years, by his side. He was born on April 16, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Samuel and Fannie Bibergal. He always said "If it weren't for my best friend and wife Linda, I wouldn't have lived for ninety years". Milt graduated from the University of Illinois in 1956 with a Doctorate of Medicine. He was a physician dedicated to St. Mary Medical Center for 47 years. He practiced medicine and served the community of Gary. While other physicians left Gary, Milt stayed for his patients. Patients have fond memories of the caring treatment they always received from from Dr. Bergal. He combined old-fashioned techniques with updated knowledge and technology. Dr. Bergal's practice was located on West 5th Ave., Gary, Indiana. Milt was also the city court and jail physician for several years. He interned at Methodist Hospital in Gary and practiced at St. Mary Medical Center in Gary before it closed. Milt was a member of the Board of Directors of Gary Medical Partnership L.P. He was also the Salvation Army's physician and doctor to other civic organizations. In the early years of his practice, Milt and two other physicians initiated an emergency room at Methodist Hospital and ran it for several years. Dr. Bergal always had time for old-fashioned house calls, on many patients in the Gary community. In Gary, he was a physician to Simmons Loving Care Nursing Home for many years. Milt could never stop being a physician; he even gave advice to the nurses who cared for him. Milt proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force and was a member of the American Legion Post 279. He loved opera since the age of 12 years old. He enjoyed playing tennis in his earlier years and taking walks on the beach. He vacationed in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida every year. Whenever he had a chance, he grabbed the microphone and sang his favorite songs with one of his best friends, Bobby, at the piano. Milt enjoyed life to the fullest and will be missed dearly by all. Milt is survived by his beloved wife, Linda (nee Sorenson) Bergal; his one and only son, David Bergal; sister, Harriet (Eddie) Palmer; many loving nieces and nephews; daughters, Shara, Jenni, and Taya Bergal; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Fannie Bibergal. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Milt's name may be made to the Temple Israel, 601 N. Montgomery Street, Miller Beach, IN 46403 or to the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana, 585 Progress Ave., Munster, IN 46321. Visitation for Milt will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2016 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage. A funeral service will take place Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 10:00 am at the funeral home with an hour of visitation prior to the service. Rabbi Niles Goldstein will officiate. He will be laid to rest at Temple Israel Cemetery in Portage. For more information, please call (219) 762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.