Christoph Berger

Christoph Berger of San Antonio passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025, surrounded by family.

Christoph was born in the village of Rusko Selo in the Banat region of Yugoslavia on March 18, 1931, to Stefan and Anna (Karfisel) Berger. His family was forced to leave their home after World War II and, after many hardships during the war, he lived in a Displaced Persons camp in Austria for 5½ years.

He immigrated at the age of 21 to Chicago, Illinois in 1952 where he worked as an apprentice tool and die maker and met his wife of 67 years, Barbara (Schneider) Berger. They had grown up within about 20 miles of each other in Yugoslavia but did not meet until both were living in Chicago. They were married in Bremen, Germany in 1955.

Christoph joined the Air Force in 1953, and the family lived in England, France, Kansas, Virginia, Germany, and Alabama during his career. He retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1975. After retirement, the family settled in San Antonio, where Christoph continued to work in the Civil Service managing major projects for the Air Force. After 40 years of service to our nation, he retired in 1992.

Christoph was a lifelong learner. His formal education was interrupted by World War II after the 6th grade. After coming to the United States, he first had to learn to speak English and later earned his GED. He took college courses in Data Processing studying computers which were in their infancy at the time and later became a Systems Analyst and Project Manager. He was always learning and passing on his knowledge. In the last week of his life, he was teaching his children and grandchildren about his favorite AI tools. He studied history, financial markets, and genealogy and traced the family roots back to the 1600’s. Christoph was also a talented painter and woodworker, and his family has many of his paintings and furniture displayed in their homes.

Christoph was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, his brother Peter, and daughter-in-law Melinda. He is survived by three children, sons Robert (Diane) Berger and Steven (Karen Feser) Berger, and his daughter Barbara Berger along with seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

We are especially thankful for our devoted caregiver, Karli, who first served our mother for three years and then our father for the last three years.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 pm on October 1, 2025, at Porter Loring North in San Antonio. A burial service will take place at 10:30 am on October 2, 2025, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to a hospice organization.