End of an era

On October 11, an era of Jamestown, ND history ended. Bruce Berg, long-time resident, passed away at the age of 89, I didn’t know Bruce when he was a high school teacher, but he often talked about it and remembered his students with fondness. When I met him he was teaching a speech class at Jamestown College (before they changed to University of Jamestown). He took a writing class from my dad and wrote a book of stories with some of the other students.

Bruce was a regular user of the local library, and I worked at the library so I would see him often. At one point, he approached me and asked if I would be interested in collaborating with him on a book of stories. I was honored, and thus began our project to write and publish Pages Between Ages. In his usual self-deprecating humor, Bruce suggested we call the book Old Guy and Young Girl Write Book, but we didn’t go with that title, obviously, but when we had settled on Pages Between Ages, he joked that he hoped people wouldn’t find it to be “ages between the pages” when they were reading.

I will always be glad Bruce asked me to collaborate with him. It exemplifies one of his outstanding character traits—kindness. He could have asked someone else, someone he knew better, but he asked me. As I got to know Bruce, I understood why everyone spoke highly of him. He was funny, told great stories, and was unfailingly kind. I don't think I ever heard him say something mean about anyone.

I’m glad I got to work with Bruce, and I’m glad some of his humor and kindness remains behind in his stories. It also will live on in the memories of all of his students and others who knew him over the years. I’m glad that he is in Glory now, away from all the troubles of this world, but I miss him.