JARS v42n2 - In Memoriam: Rudolph Berg

In Memoriam: Rudolph Berg
Carolyn Jessen
Riverton, Connecticut

Rudy Berg, a long time member of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, passed away on November 9, 1987. Rudy, a senior research chemist at Pfizer, Inc., was an avid horticulturist. His interest in plants and nature spanned his lifetime.

Born in upper New York State, Rudy spent his formative years in New York, and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1951. He joined the Connecticut Chapter of the ARS in 1968, and two years later started his nursery, Tormberg Gardens.

He was president of the chapter in 1975-77, and was awarded the bronze medal in 1978. He was also a member of the New York and Massachusetts Chapters and the Rhododendron Species Foundation.

Rudy and his wife, Betty, regularly attended the Connecticut Chapter meetings, generously supplying plants for auction or door prizes, and bringing beautiful, unique floral arrangements from their garden for our coffee table.

He was always quick with a smile for an old friend or newcomer, advice for a questioning novice, or a perfect truss carefully carried from home just for our enjoyment. We will truly miss him.