With the passing of Dr. J. Robert Berg on March 7, 2003, the profession lost one of its distinguished members and Wichita State University lost a colleague who had served more than 50 years as an educator and administrator at that institution. 

     Dr. Berg's journey commenced in Chicago where he was born in 1915 to parents of Scandinavian origin.  His early education, grade through high school was obtained in the Chicago area.  Bob received  a degree in geology/chemistry at Augustana College (Illinois)  Although he had originally planned to become a physician,  his direction in life was diverted to geology after he encountered an inspiring geology professor, Fritiof Fryxell.  After graduation in 1938, he enrolled at the University of Iowa where he earned an MS and a PhD in geology/chemistry.  With completion of his PhD in 1942, Bob joined E.I. du Pont de Nemours as a chemical engineer, and later joined Shell Oil as a geologist in the Wichita office.

     In 1946 Dr. W.A. Ver Wiebe Chairman of the Department of Geology of Wichita University recruited Bob to teach as an Associate Professor. In 1949 he was awarded a full professorship.  In addition to teaching, Bob served two terms as chairman of the Department of Geology, 1953-63 and 1976-81; Dean of Student Services, 1961-65; Dean of the University College and Continuing Education: and Director of Program Development, 1969-71.

     During the Korean War (1951-53), Bob joined the U.S. Army, Military Intelligence, G2.  He was instrumental in the establishment of an army intelligence unit at Wichita University.  In 1975 he retired with the rank of Colonel in the military reserve. 

     He received many honors during professional life, including, but not limited to:  President of the National Association of Geology Teachers, Honorary Life Member of the Kansas Geological Society,  Honorary Member of the Wichita Gem and Mineral Society. In 1996 Dr .Berg received the WSU Alumni Recognition Award for outstanding service to WSU.  He was listed in American Men of Science, Who's Who in America and the National Registry of Prominent Americans.

     Many of his former students are either employed in Wichita or are practicing their profession as consulting geologists in the Wichita area.  Several were asked to comment on  their associations with Dr. Berg.  Here are a few comments:  Ted Sandberg - "Dr. Berg was a friend and educator of our family for two generations.  I was one of his geology students from 1950 to 1954 and my son Clarke also one of his students from 1973-78.  We both remember his 'crusty' sense of humor, and ability to teach the practical application of geology particularly regarding oil exploration.  We will both miss him."

     Curtis Covey has the following comments/observations regarding Dr. Berg. “Initially I met Dr. Berg as an undergraduate student at Wichita State University.  Early in the class, Dr. Berg demonstrated that he expected the best of what each of us had, to be applied to the task at hand and learn what we could, as fast as we could.  Some students responded well and excelled.  Some students did average and Dr. Berg challenged them with almost all improving noticeably.  Some students were struggling and Dr. Berg guided them into the learning mode with surprisingly good results.  In short, you did not do well in Dr. Berg's class unless you gave of yourself.  You may have sweated, struggled, yearned to be free, contemplated transferring/quitting or just have a 'slow simmer,' but that was the beneficial part of the class (and life).  In every class I had where Dr. Berg was the instructor, he repeatedly and untiringly did his best, so the students could do their best.  On numerous occasions, he would go out of his way, so a student could make the most of the material at hand, This could take the form of a taskmaster, guidance counselor. mental challenger, 'giving insight' intellectual provocateur or motivator,  A person learned early that you gave Dr. Berg your best answer since 'second best' would not do."

     Dr. Berg had the ability to identify strengths in students/colleagues and gave those people the opportunity to capitalize on those strengths and be better.  Many of today’s working geologists worldwide have gone high in their field of endeavor as a result of the technical training, organizational experience and professional poise learned under the wisdom and patience of Dr. Berg.

     It is with sorrow we note his passing; however, we strongly rejoice that he has passed through life as our friend, teacher and fellow professional geologist.  Dr. Berg was a pillar of our geological community.  He leaves a heritage in the memory of his many friends, students and colleagues of sound professionalism and an admiration of his knowledge of geology.  We shall miss him."

     Craig Caulk comments: "It has been 25 years ago since I was in one of Dr. Berg's classes.  He had a great sense of humor which made attending class enjoyable.  When I would run into him off campus he would always speak and ask how things were going.   He was very friendly and never in too much of a hurry to bypass a conversation.  I always respected that, especially for a man of his educational status.

     In 1987 Bob retired. To honor him the J. R. Berg Distinguished Petroleum Lecture Series was established.  It has been established as a memorial fund in care of the WSU Foundation, 1845 N.  Fairmount, Wichita, Kansas  67260-0002.
 Bob is survived by his wife Marijean; a son from a former marriage, Dr. Richard A. Berg; a daughter-in-law Mary; two grandchildren Jonathan and Christine; and sister Ruth Downing.