Douglas J. Berlin

Douglas J. Berlin passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026 in Columbia, MO.

Doug Berlin was born in New York City on April 28, 1946, the only child born to Arthur C. Berlin and Ruth (Connors) Berlin.

After graduating from the Fox Lane School in Bedford, NY, Doug attended Carroll College (now Carroll University) in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and the University of Cincinnati. He was employed as a city planner for the City of Columbus Ohio receiving a letter of commendation from the mayor for his authorship of the city's flood plain development regulations. He moved to Rolla in 1971 and served as Assistant Director of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission for ten years.

On October 8, 1977, he married Dorothy Spencer at St. Patrick Church, and they shared nearly 38 years together until she passed away on June 2, 2015. In 1981 Doug & Dorothy purchased Star Sign Company and operated the sign company for 35 years until Doug retired in 2016.

For several years Doug was a member and Treasurer of the Central Missouri Regional Fair Board, now known as the Phelps County Fair Board. He was a member of the Rolla Knights of Columbus, serving two terms as Recorder. He was a member of the Optimist Club of Rolla serving as Club Photographer, President, and as District Lt Governor. He was a member of the Phelps County Genealogical Society serving as Vice President, Treasurer, and Recording Secretary.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy, Dorothy's parents Elmer and Ellen Spencer, and sister in-law Marie Quesenberry of St. Charles, MO.

He is survived by daughter Amanda Berlin, son Aaron Berlin and spouse Susie Bales and their six children; sisters-in-law Martha Bowles and husband Bill of Salem, MO; Shirley June Dargatz and husband William of Huron SD; niece Carol Bowles of Columbia MO; and goddaughter Janet Huelsmann of Vancouver, WA.

While always looking serious, Doug will probably be remembered most for his wry sense of humor. He could find something amusing in almost everything, including this obituary. New acquaintances, unaccustomed to his sense of humor, frequently missed his puns and double entendres. He frequently turned the humor on himself. When told his sense of humor had a fast response, he demurred and indicated he felt he was only half-fast.

Doug will be laid to rest in a private family service with interment at the Rolla City Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held once the weather is warmer; although regrettably the pollen will be in evidence by all the teary eyes and sniffles, bring Kleenex.

Speaking of pollen, as Doug is allergic to nature's dust, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Phelps County Genealogical Society, PO Box 571, Rolla, MO 65402.