Charles “Chuck” Franklin Berggren passed away at his home in Greenville, surrounded by his family, on August 22, 2016 after a long and well lived life. Known as Franklin in his early years; Chuck, after entering the Army Air Corps; and Papa, after becoming a Grandfather in 1981, he didn’t quite make his goal of living to 100 - but he came fairly close. Chuck would have been 94 in October.
He was born to Carl Sigfrid and Bernardine (Small) Berggren in Duluth, MN on October 23, 1922. After graduating high school he sailed the Great Lakes for 3 seasons alongside his father and grandfather. In 1942 he joined the Army Air Corps and served until 1947. While there he was assigned to an elite group of staff who performed critical maintenance and calibrations on the famous Norden bombsights. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sgt. and served in the Air Force Reserves from 1947 to 1953. He earned a BS Degree in Geology from Case Western Reserve in 1950, and an MS Degree in Geology from Texas A&M Commerce in 1977. He retired in 1985 after a long, satisfying career as a Geophysicist in the Oil & Gas Exploration industry. His career took him to some interesting places, including the jungles of Colombia, SA and the shores of Cuba.
While in Cuba, he met and married the love of his life, Silvia “Margot” Dominguez in 1955. Both their lives were forever changed. They went on to have 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. In the late 1960s, Chuck opened his big heart and helped Margot successfully bring out 10 members of her family from Cuba, all of which lived with them 1-2 years until they could establish themselves in the US. He welcomed them with open arms and never complained about having so many people under one roof!
He was a gifted pianist and played in jazz orchestras in high school and in the service. While stationed at Ascension island he played for Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. He was an artist and drew amazing cartoons and watercolors. He had a passion for hydroponics and built his own greenhouse. He loved cars and owned over 30 in his life. He loved to drive and drove right up to the end. He was a great photographer and had an impressive camera collection. At the age of 88 he fulfilled his dream of owning cattle starting with a registered Brahman bull and 2 cows. He loved travel, science, nature, computers, machines, electronics, mathematics, reading, and learning. He loved life and lived it fully.
He is survived by his sister Donna May Druckenbrod of Brunswick OH; his wife Dr. Margot Berggren of Greenville; daughter, Patty Courtman and husband Jeff of Wylie; son, Terry Berggren of Greenville; daughter, Polly Potter and husband Scott of Greenville; son, Thor Berggren of Commerce; son, Eirik Berggren and wife Danielle of Miller Grove; grandchildren, Andrea Farnham and husband Matt, Julie Baack and husband Erric, Chase Potter and wife Lydia, Travis Potter and wife Andrea, Brooke Lopez and husband Erick, Ethan and Noah Courtman, and Brass and Brennan Berggren; and great-grandchildren, Jonathan Davenport, Amanda Carter, Mason Vasher, Skylar Farnham, Ava Potter, Reese Lopez, Miles Potter, Ian Potter, Zoey Lopez, Emilia Potter, Violet Potter, and Wyatt Baack.
He is also survived by his nieces, Lucy Shaeffer and husband Dennis, and Cheryl Ann Fill; nephew Dale Durken’s widow Marsha; nephew Fernando Labrada’s widow Loretta; 7 grandnephews; 2 grandnieces; and 13 great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his brother-in-law, Ralph Druckenbrod; his sister-in-law, Maria Labrada and her husband Nestor; his niece, Carol Ann Druckenbrod; and his nephews, Dale Durken and Fernando Labrada.
The family celebrated his life in a private gathering as per his wishes. He will be missed for his wry sense of humor, his entertaining stories, and his boundless love for his family.