After recently finishing a personal copy of Heinz’s autobiography “An Adventure on Two Continents: Ending in a Place of Excellence - West Vancouver”, given me by my mother, I was excited to reconnect with him at Amica on my next pilgrimage from New York to Vancouver to see family. I am saddened to just now learn of Mr. Berger’s passing. 

I knew Heinz my entire life; a familial relationship that began before I could speak my first words. He was our neighbour on Madrona Crescent, West Vancouver, where we still maintain a family home. His influence remains felt every time I visit; both the horticultural structure of the property and the selections he made for our garden many decades ago. Lifelong care has nurtured them to the mature specimens they are now. His more public creations throughout the North Shore community certainly influenced my early childhood learning through play, movement, and curiosity. Heinz would be impressed to see a resurgence back to the more natural creative play environments he advocated for, designed, and built in our public parks long ago. I can’t help but think his many influences on my life - indirectly via his professional work and directly through our many interactions growing up - helped guide me to where I am currently, 16 years into a shared passion for the profession of Landscape Architecture. 

Far too late, it is with much regret that I will not have the chance to sit and break bread with this amazing man at this time in my life/career, but I wanted to share my deeply held admiration, respect, and fondness for Heinz Berger - a pioneer, friend and neighbour, and a positive force in this world. 


To the  family and every one that loved Heinz, I am truly sorry for your loss. My condolences to the family and friends. Psalms 94:19

Heinz Berger will be greatly missed by many people who he touched so deeply. Heinz was responsible for creating or improving West Vancouver community amenities, and for many other innovations that defined West Vancouver during his 22 years with the municipality's parks and department.  He will be missed.  Tara Culham, BC Society of Landscape Architects, Executive Director

Oh my gosh !  Planning to visit was on my list .....I guess I thought he'd live to be at least a hundred ....RIP

I am grateful for having known Heinz and getting a sense of the passion behind all those creative ideas and memorable places he was involved with in his years as a landscape architect in  West Vancouver. What an amazing character, so many stories, so many achievements, so much care for our place.    
His was a very full life, well lived!

OBITUARY

Mr. Heinz Hermann Gunter Berger

April 2, 1923 – January 14, 2016

Hollyburn Funeral Home

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