Roland "Ron" E. Berg, COL (Ret.)

It is with great sadness that we announce that Roland E. (Ron) Berg, COL (Ret.), passed away peacefully at his home on October 22, 2026 following a brief illness and surrounded by his family. He was 95.

Born on December 26, 1930 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ron was the cherished son of Gustaf and Kristine Berg (Turlingen). As a first-generation American, Ron understood the importance of hard work and living life with integrity. He lived his life deeply committed to his faith, family, and service to his country.

As a student at Central High School in Minneapolis, Ron met Jean Marie Chartier, who caught his eye at a school dance. They quickly became inseparable and married in 1954, raising two daughters, Kristine Margaret (Risendal) and Patricia Jean (Bounds). As Ron liked to tell his friends, “I loved Jean from bobby socks to silk stockings,” and he believed both God and his marriage of 73 years served as the foundation for the many blessings life brought his family.

A proud Golden Gopher and ROTC student, Ron graduated from the University of Minnesota with an undergraduate degree in business and a master’s degree in public administration. He was commissioned into the Unites States Army as a Second Lieutenant, and Ron’s career as an Army officer took him across the globe, to Europe, Korea, and Southeast Asia, with many moves in-between. Ron’s assignment as program manager for the Patriot Missile carrier while stationed at Selfridge AFB in Michigan was one of Ron’s proudest success stories. It was his job to procure one common carrier for the rocket launcher and the radar. The carrier is still used today.

His next assignment brought Ron to Virginia, where Ron and Jean found a permanent home in Mount Vernon. After retiring as an Army Colonel, Ron accepted a senior position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) at the Pentagon covering all the services—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Success in that role led Ron to decide to use his logistical and leadership expertise as an entrepreneur in the private sector. Together with Jean, Ron began his company Logis-Tech, inc., leaving the Pentagon on a Friday and starting LTi on Monday morning. Ron’s commitment to LTi kept Ron working into his nineties.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Ron is survived by his wife, Jean, his children, Kris (Jack) Risendal and Patti (Jim) Bounds, his seven grandchildren, and his seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Kristine, his brother, Bud, and his sister, Marge.

For Ron, family was the greatest source of joy. He loved spending time at the beach, playing cards, taking walks, sharing laughs while grilling chicken wings, and discussing the issues of the day. Ron also enjoyed playing golf at Mount Vernon Country Club, where he was a long-time member.

Ron wrote in his memoir, “I have loved my life. Life lessons began at a young age through the example of my mom and dad. My mother taught me the importance of family and connection. My dad taught me my work ethic. Jean and I have led a wonderful life together and our family is the center piece to every decision we make.” Nicknamed Babe as the youngest of his family, Ron added, “Whatever happened to Babe? My answer is everything! It’s been a joyful, fulfilling ride.”

Internment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. If you wish to do so, please send a donation to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a haven for orphaned elephants and an organization Ron supported over the years, in lieu of flowers.