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Martin Berger Obituary
MARTIN LEWIS BERGER "Marty"
On Monday, December 18, 2023, MARTIN LEWIS "Marty" BERGER of Rockville, MD, died after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born on August 1, 1943, Marty was a teacher, camp director, youth leader, husband, father, Pop-Pop, friend and community leader. Marty is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn, children, Erica (Mitchell) Berger-Brandt and Jonah (Megan) Berger, grandchildren, Amelia and Arthur Berger and sister, Tina (Mary Lewis) Levin. Raised in Silver Spring, MD, Marty attended Coolidge High School and The University of Maryland, where he studied education. Teaching was his passion and his life. He began his teaching career in Columbia, MD. He taught middle school history at Buck Lodge Jr. High School. He then went on to teach psychology for almost 15 years at High Point High School in Prince George's County. After retiring from High Point, Marty went on to teach at The Bullis School in Potomac, where he taught psychology, history, and Holocaust Studies. Marty retired after 46 beautiful years. Marty served as Youth Director for Washington Hebrew Congregation for 26 years. He ran a comprehensive youth retreat program, as well as junior and senior high school youth groups. He also taught confirmation. Marty was a Camp Director for Camp Ka-yitz, Camp Shalom, Kaufman Camp, Camp Tel Shalom, Camp Ramblewood and Bulldog Day Camp. Marty's funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, 9 a.m. at Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb St., NW, Washington, DC. Interment following at Garden of Remembrance Memorial Park, Clarksburg, MD. Shiva will be observed at the family home on Wednesday, with minyan at 7 p.m., Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m. with minyan at 7 p.m. and on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth-Association, www.cmtausa.org or to Washington Hebrew Congregation, https://www.whctemple.org/. Arrangements entrusted to TORCHINSKY HEBREW FUNERAL HOME, 202-541-1001.
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Memories and Condolences
for Martin Berger
Jack Klein
January 19, 2024
I taught school with Marty at Buck Lodge Jr. for a number of years. I was stunned to learn of his passing since he had so much energy and industry. He was a life force that was effectively involved with many endeavors.
Among many of the remarkable things about him was his ability to unravel history past as well as present. During the Watergate era, he knew every conspirator and their relationship to the event. Many of us were struggling to sequence events, characters, and motives in the faculty room. We often turned to Marty for explanations.
He always seemed tireless in his many efforts at doing something good. His work for charity while I was at Buck Lodge was highlighted in the fund raising marathons he originated and helped to organize. I marvel at all of the other charitable and instructive enterprises that he ran and participated after he left. Marty lived a life worthy of two lifetimes. He was one of the good ones.
Janet Weisblut Gritz
January 2, 2024
Marty was a classmate at Coolidge High School (class of 1961). Nice guy, friendly, great sense of humor.
Denise Anderson
December 27, 2023
My favorite teacher of all time! Such a wonderful human. May his family and friends find comfort in the happy memories they´ve shared. May he Rest In Peace.
Marian & Elliot Levine
December 24, 2023
Sincerest Sympathy
from Erica's friend Carolyn Levine's Family
Miriam Gyimah
December 22, 2023
Rest In Peace, Mr. Berger. You were my psychology teacher at High Point. You were a great teacher who connected well with his students. I always remembered you. Rest well. -your student, Miriam Gyimah.
Becky Dotson
December 22, 2023
What great memories of you and the psychology class you taught at High Point.
Barry Eisenberg
December 21, 2023
Marty´s big booming voice matched his big heart and the tremendous legacy of kids - of course Jonah, Erica and his grandchildren, but also the thousands of kids (now adults) who he influenced to become wonderful people. He will be missed by so many! Deepest condolences to Marilyn, Erica & Jonah.
Umme Salim-Beasley
December 21, 2023
Mr. Berger was a wonderful teacher who inspired his students to reach their fullest potential. I will always remember the welcoming environment he had in his classroom. He always greeted his students with a smile and words of inspiration. Every memory of him warms my heart. Thank you for your contribution to education and the betterment of young people´s lives!
Barry Eisenberg
December 21, 2023
Marty's big booming voice was matched by his big heart and the huge legacy of kids -- his own son, daughter and grandkids, but also the thousands of kids (most now adults) he influenced to be wonderful adults. Deepest condolences to Marilyn, Erica, Jonah and all "the kids."
Tracey Vernon
December 21, 2023
Mr. Berger was one of a kind and a very special man! He played the song, Lean On Me, almost every day at High Point. I carried on the tradition as an elementary school teacher for many years. My husband and I both had him as a teacher and remember valuable lessons that he taught. We ran into Mr. Berger and his wife on a Bahama cruise for our 25th anniversary ten years ago. We had so much fun reminiscing about the lessons we learned. I told him I still played that song and I could tell it meant something to him. He informed us that he was on that cruise to celebrate his retirement! I´m grateful we had the opportunity to tell him how much we respected and admired him. He had a profound impact on so many others. The next day on the pool deck he requested Lean On Me, and the band played. I will never hear that song without thinking of him. Rest in peace, Mr. Berger! The world became a better place because of you! My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Tracey Vernon
Nancy A. Woodell
December 21, 2023
May his memories be a blessing. Rest well
Scott Britt
December 21, 2023
Mr. Berger was my 9th grade civics teacher at Buck Lodge, Trivia team coach there (for a group of 4 diverse young people that managed to win the school competition) and first employer when he offered me a job as a counselor (Jr.) at Camp Ka-Yitz. He always seemed so positive and saw the best in people. He saw something in me apparently. I appreciated his work with the MDA. He will be missed.
Maria Wynn Fleming
December 20, 2023
One of his high point student my condolences he was one of my BEST teachers. Class of 1991
Cari Gerrits
December 20, 2023
To Mr. Berger´s loved ones- High Point was lucky to have Mr. Berger in the classroom. He was a wonderful teacher and an even better human. Erica and Jonah- He shared many stories about you both and simply adored you. May his memory be a blessing.
Barry Louis Polisar
December 20, 2023
So sorry to hear about Marty Berger's death and illness. I was a student of his at Buck Lodge Junior High when he taught there along with his friend, Mr. Feinberg, the art teacher. I remember him well. Deepest sympathies and comfort to his family and friends.
Traci Dunn Allen
December 19, 2023
Marty was my 9th grade Civics teacher back in 1977. He was definitely one of my favorites as we´d kept in touch ever since. The basketball marathons for MDA were epic! I remember going down to Channel 5 and working the phones with him during the Labor Day MDA telethons. He made everything fun and cared deeply for all of his students. He came to High Point after I graduated but he was so close with our class that he came to our 25th reunion. I will never forget the impact he had on me and so many of my classmates. He was definitely a mensch and will be missed by many. May his memory be a blessing. Sending love and light to all whose lives he touched.
Debbie Moses Overly
December 19, 2023
One of the best teachers I ever had at Buck Lodge, or anywhere else, for that matter. What a wonderful role model--so much so that I went on to teach middle school myself. RIP, Mr. Berger!
Janet Osherow
December 19, 2023
Marty was larger than life and full of spirit and love. My deepest condolences to Marilyn, Erica, Jonah and all who knew & loved Marty.
Dana Evans
December 19, 2023
My Uncle Marty had a larger-than-life persona with a zest for all things life had to offer. We will miss his humor, energy and presence.
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