Dr. Robert R. Berg

Dr. Robert R. Berg

Robert Raymond Berg, 82, of Bryan, Texas, died June 13, 2006. Born in St. Paul Minnesota, he attended St. Paul schools, graduating from Central High School in 1942. From 1943 to 1946, Bob was a weather observer for the U.S. Army Air Corp in the Western United States, Pacific, and Japan. After World War II, Bob earned his B.A. (1948) and Ph.D. (1951) degrees in Geology from the University of Minnesota.

From 1951-1966, Dr. Berg began his career in oil exploration in the Rocky Mountains. He first worked for the California Company (Standard Oil of California) and subsequently joined Edward B. Wasson of Denver, working for Cosden Petroleum Company, and then forming a consulting partnership, EMBAR Oil Company.

In 1967, Dr. Berg was recruited by Texas A&M University in College Station as Professor and Head of the Geology Department. Early in his academic career at A&M, he served as Associate Dean of the College of Geosciences. Then in 1972, he was appointed as the first Director of the TAMU Office of University Research, a position he held for 10 years. In addition to his administrative duties, he continued a full teaching schedule.

In 1982, Dr. Berg was awarded the Michel T. Halbouty Chair in Geology. He was the author of numerous award-winning research papers, journal articles, and a popular textbook, Reservoir Sandstones. Dr. Berg received professional distinction as a scientific researcher, college administrator, and teacher. During his teaching career, he supervised the masters and doctoral research theses of 112 graduate students in petroleum geology. His love of teaching and concern for the welfare of his students were always paramount to him throughout his academic career.

Honored by both Texas A&M University and numerous professional societies, Dr. Berg received Texas A&M’s Distinguished Faculty Awards in both research and teaching as well as the President’s Award of Honor. He was elected to Honorary Membership in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the American Institute of Professional Geologists, the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, and the National Academy of Engineering.

Distinguished for teaching, research, and service to his field and professional societies, Dr. Berg was awarded the Ben H. Parker Memorial Medal for Outstanding Service to the profession from the American Institute of Professional Geologists, the Sidney Powers Memorial Award from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and was twice recognized at the University of Minnesota for Outstanding Achievement, most recently at their Past and Present Awards Celebration.

Dr. Berg’s survivors include his wife, Jo, of Bryan. They have two sons, Charles, and wife Sarah, of The Woodlands, Texas, and William, and wife Theresa, of Fort Collins, Colorado; and three grandchildren, Matthew, Amanda, and Camille. Charles, a geophysicist, and William, a petroleum geologist, are fortunate to have inherited their father’s love of geology and learning.

-Dawn Lee Wakefield