Earle Dudley Berger

Early Life and Education: Earle was born on December 10, 1922, in Pennsylvania on a farm along the Delaware River across from New Jersey. He grew up with his 2 brothers there. Older brother Millard, named after their father and younger brother Dick. For a time, they had over 1,000 chickens. He used to ride his bike to deliver eggs before school. He attended a one room school with students from 5 to 12 years old, the older children taught the younger. At 12 he was off to Lambertville High School in the town. To get to his new school he'd first ride his bike then get on the train to town then walk several more miles to High School. Upon graduating he received a scholarship to Rutgers University. During summers he worked at an ice cream shop along the beach at Asbury Park, New Jersey. Renting a room for $8.00 a month in a home which did not provide his meals, he'd walk to the diner and to eat breakfast then dinner there paying only 45 to 70 cents per day. Which allowed him to save $ $100.00 to pay for college. He was President of his graduating class and graduated from Rutgers with an Engineering BS degree in 1944.

WW II: Earle always liked to plan ahead he had signed up for the Navy before college, so he reported for service after graduation. He wanted to go to Radar school which was a new area at that time and interested him very much. However, since he'd missed the beginning of the classes he was sent to Miami to Sub Chaser school, but he missed his ship. Then he was sent to the West Coast there he was assigned to a 110-foot WW I wooden Sub Chaser #SC1497. Their wood ships were called the "Splinter Fleet" or the "Donald Duck Fleet". They weren't fast enough to chase subs, so they acted as supply ships, patrol craft, and escorts for larger ships throughout the Pacific.

Marriage and Children: After the War Earle came home to New Jersey and married Mary Canning in 1948 and began their life together. They had 2 beautiful children, Donald and Gail and had 28 happy years together before Mary tragically succumbed to cancer. In 1976 he remarried Agnus Clark. She also had 2 lovely children, Nancy and Lee. They successfully blended their families and were blessed with 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Only 28 years later in 2004 she passed due to heart problems.

Work: Earle worked as an Electrical Engineer for the 40 years after the War. The last 22 years before his retirement he spent that time at the Lockheed Martin Company working in the missile defense area. He was with the Pershing Weapon System which was a key factor in keeping the Peace during the Cold War Era even though a shot was never fired in an act of war.

Church, Travel and Hobbies: Earle was very active in the Presbyterian Church attending Conferences, working at his own John Calvin Presbyterin Church congregation's building and grounds, various committees and many other activities. He loved the sea, boating, fishing and living in several lake homes in Orlando. He also enjoyed traveling in boats, trains and automobiles. Alaska to Hawaii he took many trips and cruises. He also began wood working making clocks and tables. He always enjoyed music and played his home organ often. His favorite TV program was Lawerance Welk. As he got older, he worked more and more on his computer and began restoring old family photos, designing cards and working on genealogy.

First Watch: His favorite meal was breakfast! For many years drove himself daily to First Watch Restaurant. He made friends with the Staff who were wonderful to him. He called them his "First Watch Family". His own family often gather there to be with him. His Breakfast Birthdays Celebrations there were always special occasions!

Time to Leave: In July 2024 he could no longer live alone and moved into Providence Assisted Living, Kissimmee, where he had his own furniture and apartment. He made many friends and also celebrated Great Birthday Parties there. He went down to the dining room for meals daily, especially breakfast. All the Staff (Clinical, Dining, Administrative, and Housekeeping) were very always caring and thoughtful of him. They told everyone he was a "Good and Honorable Man! And many there called him "Grand Papa! His last 2 weeks in his apartment at Providence was with a Hospice Team attending him, they were Absolutely Excellent! He had told his family he was ready to go to Heaven. And God called him home. There will be no funeral service. He didn't want one. His immediate family plan to gather to Remember and Celebrate his Life in August.