Richard A. Berg

of Bainbridge Island WA, died peacefully 29 June 2015. He was born October 24,1931 in Aberdeen, Grays Harbor WA to Captain Thor Berg and Bergliot Berg.He held degrees from the Universities of Washington and Alaska in foreign trade and transportation economics. His active career in the maritime industry spanned over 43 years from seaman and deck officer in the merchant marine and Coast Guard (Korean War). He was executive assistant and Acting Governor for Governor John Haydon in American Samoa. He was a former General Manager of the Washington State Ferries and Chairman of the Board of Pilotage Commissioners. He was a former member of MM&P Local 90, a founding and honorary director of the International Marine Transit Assn, and a companion of the Council of American Master Mariners. Dick retired from the Saudi Arabian Oil Company ARAMCO as Marine Advisor. He held life memberships in the Poulsbo Sons of Norway and the Masonic Lodge of Bainbridge Island and was active with the PNW Maritime Heritage Coucil, as well as an active docent at the Bainbridge Historical Museum.Dick loved the water...he shared the lovely, old Puget Sound sloop, 'Thistle', with his brother, Carl. The annual family sailing trip was to infamous McConnell Is, with its mini-railroad, in the San Juans. His work, and forays from work, always included a boat - ferries all over the world, Coast Guard Cutter 'Winona' workboats in the Gulf of Arabia - Egyptian river boats - various transports around Samoa. And, years later, sailing with his second wife, Ingri, aboard her 1960 Garden-built sloop 'Westri' - deja vue and joy.Dick's international career enabled the family to experience the world: Antarctica Samoa-Norway-African safaris - international quilting conferences - 'round the world trips and more.A stroke in 2013 severely disabled Dick's ability to speak -but- he could sing and he continued to sing with his beloved Manskor at the Sons of Norway in Poulsbo as well as attend their annual Sangerfest in Oregon in June.Dick was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lou Berg - d.2004Survivors are: his second wife, Ingri Gayle Lamberson Berg, daughter Kristin Berg Brown(Steve), son Andrew (Liz), brother Tom (Lesa) and 5 grandchildren.An honoring of Dick's life will be held at a later date.Memorials may be made to the Bainbridge Historical Society 215 Erickson Ave NE BI 98110.