It is with a heavy heart that I read this notice about the loss of our dear friend Bergie. My thoughts go out to Mary and the kids. Bergie was a one of a kind sailor and I had the honor of working alongside him for several years. Each day of that time was fun, busy, and rewarding, mostly because of Bergie.
I will miss him and am left with the cherished memories, smiles, and roaring laughter than only Bergie brought to our party.
RIP my friend.
Chuck Gagnon

Very sad news, and hard to imagine. He was always smiling, with his pipe in the corner of his mouth, and he always just seemed so full of life. He was an amazing mentor to so many from my generation...he truly helped to shape my life as an analyst. I remember when he was my LPO in QA in Brawdy, and I learned so much from him.

I'll never forget my first day as a Command Duty Analyst, when I got called in at midnight, as a young OTA2, to make a command decision that would contradict with the decision of the Chief on watch. I called him, all panicky, not knowing what to do. He was a bit peeved that I woke him (and Mary) up in the middle of the night, but he calmly interrupted my babbling and said "Brett, is it or isn't it?" I thought for a minute and said "No, it's not it". And he said "Then there you go. And I trust you. Now let me go back to sleep!" That was a defining moment in my career as an analyst, and my life in general. Such a class act.

And he never complained when I was there at night and stole one of the Nutty Buddy cookies he kept in his desk. :)

Great memories of a great Sailor, a legendary OT. He will be missed by so many. Condolences to his family.

Another shipmate passing way too soon. Bergie was a great friend and consummate professional. He passed way to early. God rest his soul.

In my initial response to Jim's advisory by email I confirmed that I had never had the privilege to stand watch or be stationed with Dave. I do know many of his friends and shipmates... and they ALL have expressed their fondness and respect for him, both personally and professionally. I can only say that it would have been my honor and privilege to have manned the watch with Dave and numbered him among my friends.

Fair Winds Senior Chief.

It broke my heart to read this news. Bergie was the best. I smile when I think about him walking into Q.A. at Dam Neck, with that grin on his face and saying Chris, let's go smoke we need to talk. He taught he so much. My prayers are with his family. RIP my friend!

My sincerest condolences to Mary and the kids. I knew Bergie at Brawdy and JMF. When I arrived at JMF as the Maintenance Chief, Bergie and his pal Scotty were right there to welcome me and give me the lay of the land, even though I was one of the "downstairs" folks. Later, when I filled in as the OPS LCPO, I could always count on Bergie to set me straight and give me the analytics to go by. Indeed, he was a analysts analyst. I was very fortunate to have someone like him to call a friend. I have the honor and privilege to be one of the recipients of the shadow boxes he made and I treasure it to this day. I suspect that he has tuned up the QA process for those who are allowed in Heaven by now. I will miss him.