MichiganShootist Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 (edited) Tuesday I lost one of my best friends and a great shooter Jeff Berger at age 53. Jeff never shot USPSA but won many state and regional matches in IDPA... and he always did it the hard way..... competing in SSR with 1950s and 1960s vintage revolvers drawn from classic leather holsters. He even carried his speed loaders loose in his vest pocket... because that was the way he thought it should be done. Many will miss him ... my road trips will never be the same. God bless his wife and two sons. Edited December 14, 2007 by MichiganShootist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gameplayer Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 My condolences to his family and friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 I'm sorry for the loss of your friend... that's way to young to die. Best, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I didn't know Jeff very well, but I was always glad to see him at matches. He was a really nice guy and fun to hang out with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Bell Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 He was a nice guy, friendly talk to anyone type person. Just saw him a few weeks ago at the IDPA meeting. My condolences to the Berger family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopalong Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 May he rest in PEACE, and God be with his friends and family. Hop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Very sad. My condolences to you and his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooterready Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 (edited) Jeff was a great guy to be around. Linden Sportsmen Club will not be the same without him around. May God be with Jeff and his family. Edited December 15, 2007 by shooterready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drkyte Posted December 16, 2007 Share Posted December 16, 2007 I am greatly saddened by Jeff's passing. Jeff was a great guy that I always enjoyed shooting with. A true revolver maven, we are diminished by his absence. Joe Schiros Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srrch Posted December 16, 2007 Share Posted December 16, 2007 Jeff was a really great guy. He was really nice to be around. Seeing him shoot his revolver and how profficient he was with it really sparked my interest in this part of our sport. May God give his give comfort to his family. Ross Palmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eel Posted December 16, 2007 Share Posted December 16, 2007 I ran into Jeff at the last Lansing/Mason gun show. He seemed happy and doing great. Such a tragedy. I'm reminded of the late Brian Bilby, and Greg Bever. You'll be missed. Eric Line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
standby Posted December 16, 2007 Share Posted December 16, 2007 I'm very saddened by the news of Jeff's passing. I didn't know Jeff very well in the short time I knew him. I did, however, have the pleasure of competing alongside him on several occasions and always walked away feeling richer from our conversations. He truly was a shining example for us all and a great credit to our shooting sport. My deepest condolences to his family. I hope you find peace where ever you are Jeff....... God Bless, DLee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banjobart Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 I knew Jeff Berger for 30 years. We worked together at Elderly Instruments, a music store in Lansing, Michigan during the 1970's. Jeff was attending Michigan State University earning an engineering degree. Jeff was always one of my favorite friends. It was a real treat to be with him both on and off the range. His death was a shock to family and friends alike, very unexpected. Jeff leaves behind a lovely wife and two fine sons in their 20's. Jeff excelled in his every endeavor. He played guitar much better than I shoot. He became an accomplished shooter in his few short years competing in IDPA. He loved his wife, loved his kids, loved his Smiths, loved his guitars, loved his home and surrounding land that was restored to prime wildlife habitat. He had all the business he could handle with his own consulting business. The unfairness of Jeff's untilmely death is very hard to bear, he was only 53. This is all so hard to handle; first Bilby, then Bever and now Berger gone from the ranges in Michigan forever. I had looked forward to shooting with Jeff every summer Saturday until we were too old to see the sights. Brothers in arms, always. R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Van Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I had only known Jeff for a couple of years, but he was always a pleasure to be around. He will be missed by all who knew him. Ed Van Voorst Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bailagent Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 well its hard to put into words things that can comfort anyone, when things of this nature happen we all ask our selves what and why and how. but god has chosen a differant plan for jeff , he was a bright good honest freind and shooter. i remember him comming to our club and shooting and always having such a great time. he had a great time where ever he was, this along with all the many thoughts all of us are having and will have for many years to come will never be happy with the answers we recive, all we can due is truly love and care for each other down here on earth and we will see him that day when we depart on our own jounery. his family should know they are not alone in there loss we share with them this awful terriable sence of pain, he will be with us in our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives. he was and is one of the niceset guys i had the pleasure to come in contact with, as it has been said so many times he may be gone but never forogten. may god bless his family and freinds and keep us all safe thru this christmas holidays and for many years to come. your freind jack allen v.p wayne county raccoon hunters org. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banjobart Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 My Mom died tonight, after two heart attacks in two weeks. R.I.P. She was 81, yesterday, and lived just long enough to see my daughter one last time. Mom saved my life from drowning when I was only five, I will never forget that day and I regret that I never was able to return the favor. I did everything that I could but nothing I could do would keep her here after today. I thank my family and friends for their sympathy. This was the worst week of my life, my Mom and my favorite friend passsing in the same week. But this will serve to make all our lives better. The words of my friend, Jack, are not those of a professional writer, but he has sent me words in private that are those of a very wise and eloquent person. No one ever said life would be easy, everything worth anything is a hell of a lot of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I'm very sorry for your loss, Bart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HHjr Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I am extremely bummed about these losses. I ran many matches that Jeff attended .... Bart is a great friend as well. I feel for your loss and wish you great strength Bart. Peace man. Respectfully, Harold Hovey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Calcut Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I enjoyed shooting with Jeff, we had alot of fun at the Linden matches.I will miss him and am very sad for him and his family.jack calcut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpappy Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 I first met Jeff at the State match in Williamston a couple of years ago. We were both competiting in SSR that year and he made it a point to search me out to talk with me. Jeff and I met at several matches after that and I always enjoyed our friendly competition and talks about how to improve our skills in SSR and ESR. I always looked forward to seeing him and I know that he will be missed. Too many are being taken too young. I am also sorry to hear about your loss Bart, it has been a devestating year for so many of us. Greg Papendick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slapshot Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 I'd like to add my condolences to those already expressed. I always looked forward to being squadded with Jeff, both at Capitol City and at Linden. He was a genuinely nice guy and always fun to be around. I had the pleasure of meeting his wife a couple years back, and shooting with his son Seth this past summer. My prayers are with them. Bart, I had no idea your Mom had been ill, and I'm very sorry to hear of her passing. You've had a terrible time the past couple weeks, and I'll add prayers for your family, too. Wally Palazzolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve & Deb Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 We are from the Linden club, and we have had the privilege of getting to know lots of shooters over the past few years as RO's and competitors. We have especially enjoyed the team from Capital City - and always look forward to seeing this crowd. Jeff was in this special group, always happy to be with others enjoying the sport regardless of the scores or weather. He enjoyed shooting, cookies and was quick to congratulate others doing well. We will greatly miss his presence and smile. Our prayers are with you and your family. take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheetahs Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 I met Jeff 3 years ago I think it was at capital city state match. Jeff was shooting vintage revolver so naturally I wanted to meet him and talk to him. From the moment I met Jeff there was an instant connection between us. As if we had been friends our whole life. All the matches that I have attended where Jeff was present he would track me down before I had a chance to find him. We would share info on the internal works of the revolver, some of the work once explained to Jeff as to why you did that and you could see the light come on in Jeffs eyes. Jeff was a very smart and intellegent man. He would pick up on what you were talking about instantly and also elaborate even further, on things you haven't thought of yet. As others have said, Our very dear friends are squaded togther in heaven. we have lost too many friends in the past year. Too many good people to list. Let us cherish the time we do have with our friends and family I know that is what Jeff would want us to do. Jeff is gone But will not be forgotten prayers go uout to his family and to his wife. Gary Cuttitta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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