Richard Lee Berg

Richard (“Rick") Lee Berg, age 73, of Madison, passed away on November 11, 2023, at UW Hospital in Madison, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on August 17, 1950, in Madison, the son of Robert and Phyllis Berg.

Rick spent the majority of his 73 years living in or near Madison and loved the city, and the state of Wisconsin, namely its sports teams (Packers, Brewers, & Badgers), its many small towns, and the uniqueness (and even bakery treats) that each had to offer. He also lived in San Diego, Lake Mills, and Fort Atkinson during his formative years.

Rick graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1968, went on to college at the University of Wisconsin (UW) - Whitewater, and graduated from the UW-Madison in 1974 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. He married Carla Jean Kleinheinz on September 3, 1977, in Madison. They divorced in 1999, but remained lifelong friends. He worked in local and state government positions in Wisconsin for the majority of his career - for over 30 years. Rick had a strong sense of civic responsibility, participating fully as an elected official (Madison School Board), public employee, editorial writer, former Speech writer for Governor Tommy Thompson, and political activist. He considered himself an “Old Time” Republican. He took strong stands and may have antagonized his opponents, but he believed in democracy and fighting for what he cared about.

Rick loved: spending time with his kids, family, and friends; watching sports and going to sporting events; reading various newspapers; writing newspaper editorials; watching local, state, and national news; listening to music (His record and CD collection that he built and maintained throughout several years, and his 2 JBL speakers with 3 15s inside each one, were epic); watching movies; going hiking at Devil’s Lake and Parfrey’s Glen; going to the beach in Lake Mills; traveling; and driving red cars, namely convertibles, of which he had many throughout his life. He also enjoyed attending services at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison.

Rick is survived by his three children, Jonathan (Ericka) Berg, Charles (Maria) Berg, and Katherine Berg (Thomas Hopkins); one grandchild, Yuriy Berg; sister, Pamela Berg; brothers, Thomas Berg, James (Tammy) Berg, and Jeffrey (Julie) Berg; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Phyllis Berg.

Rick was cremated and a private Celebration of Life was held in his honor at one of his favorite local restaurants, with family and friends.

In lieu of donations, Rick would like you to buy a newspaper, as he was an old school newspaper man at heart.