Dennis Bergo

Dennis Bergo

Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Dennis Michael "Denny" Bergo passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, at VCU Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

Denny was born and raised in Grosse Point, Mich., and graduated from Howe Military School at Howe, Ind., in 1960. He attended Denison University where he played football and obtained a secend degree black belt in judo, and was two-time Ohio state judo champion. He also studied martial arts in Japan.

He graduated from Eastern Michigan University, and received his master's from Central Michigan University.

After college, Denny enlisted in the Navy and attended OCS where he became an attack pilot. He was assigned to SACLANT in Norfolk for a brief time before being assigned to Vietnam, where he flew the A-7 Corsair on many combat missions.

After Vietnam, Denny served for 11 years in Jacksonville, Fla., and was then assigned to NAVAIR in Arlington. He served a total of 27 years in the Navy and was the recipient of numerous awards, which included the Navy/Marine Corps Medal for saving the life of a fellow pilot in 1980 while serving aboard the USS Forestall.

He retired in 1995 after serving as a professor at the Defense Systems Management College at Fort Belvoir. He then went on to consult for military programs for SAIC, Techmatics and ANSWER.

Denny and his wife of 38 years, Ann, left Alexandria in 2000 to retire at Fawn Lake, where he enjoyed playing golf daily with the men's group at Fawn Lake Country Club. He especially enjoyed playing with his son, Chance, with whom he won third place in the Cleveland Golf Father-Son event, hosted at Pebble Beach in 2002.

Denny was a devout Catholic and a loving family man.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; his daughter, Katie Beck of Fredericksburg; his son, Chance, and daughter-in-law, Aly, of Orlando; his brother, Scott Bergo, and sister, Sharon Bergo, both of Detroit, Mich.; his stepmother, Mary Ellen Bergo; five grandchildren, Brady, McKenna, Addison, Ella and Kylee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Howard L. Bergo and Veronica Reichelt Bergo.

His remains rest at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, Fredericksburg Chapel. A funeral will be held at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Fort Myer Chapel, Arlington, with interment in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601.