| Graduation Year | Class of 1938 |
| Date of Birth | Aug 09, 1918 |
| Date of Passing | Feb 22, 2004 |
| About | Richard C. "Big" Bergmann, 85, of Charlevoix, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, at the Charlevoix Area Hospital. He was born August 9, 1918, in Charlevoix, the son of Fred and Sybel (Cook) Bergmann. He was a 1938 graduate of Charlevoix High School where he was all-state in track and held the school's high jump record for over 30 years and was a starting guard for the 1938 Charlevoix state runner-up basketball team. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, with the photography corps in India. After the war he spent some time in Florida, captaining a luxury fishing boat. He attended Detroit Barber College and then returned home where he was a barber for over 50 years. Big was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling and was an avid Rayder basketball and football fan. He married Mary Lucina Richardson Dec. 31, 1940, in Charlevoix and she preceded him in death on August 17, 2000. Big was a loving father and grandfather and is survived by his son Bob of Charlevoix; grandchildren, Andrea and Ryan of Charlevoix, and Aimée of Boyne City; great-grandson, Jayden; brothers, Wilhelm, Alfred, and Charles all of Charlevoix; sisters-in-law, Rose and Maxine of Charlevoix; and several nieces and nephews. Big was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Katherine, and his brothers, George, Frederick "Ted," Robert "Bud," and Eugene. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Charlevoix Area Hospital. Friends may meet the family at the Winchester Funeral Home from 7 until 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26. |
