WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
George Arvid “Doc” Bergman, DVM, age 93, long time veterinarian of Cassopolis, died peacefully at home Wednesday, November 13, 2024, after a long period of living with Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born January 5, 1931 in Cassopolis, the first of two sons born to Dr. Roy and Lois (Townsend) Bergman. George attended school in Cassopolis before studying veterinary medicine at Michigan State University and graduating with honors in 1954. Later that same year, he joined his father in veterinary practice in Cassopolis.
Doc married Nell Jane Street December 20, 1952 in Cassopolis. Both were born in Cassopolis, attended school together there and were lifelong residents, active in the community. After almost 52 years of marriage, she preceded him in death in 2004.
Doctor George owned, operated, and remained active in the Bergman Animal Clinic for over sixty years, from 1954 to 2014. In fact, his involvement with the practice had begun a lot earlier. From the time he was a young boy, he had been riding with this father on farm calls and assisting with the care of the animals brought to the clinic. There was a never a question that George would become a veterinarian.
Doc routinely clocked 80,000 miles in a single year visiting large and small farms across rural southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. He enjoyed the company of the trusted large animal veterinary assistants who rode with him and the long list of interns, students, family and friends, cub scouts, boy scouts, nieces, nephews, his children, and grandchildren, he invited to come along to learn what it was like to treat the animals on local farms.
In 2022, on the 100th anniversary of the Bergman Animal Clinic, the following was part of a tribute that appeared in the Marcellus News:
“George has left an indelible mark on rural Cass County. Many a farmer will recall his quick arrival to farm calls, him slipping on his muck boots, and greeting humans and animals alike with a big smile, a genuine laugh when things went well, and warmth and concern when things didn’t. – Thank you, Dr. Bergman”
Doc Bergman will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his daughter, Jane Bergman of Cassopolis; his son, Roy Bergman of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; three grandchildren, Gregory (Erin Chimney) Sampson, Ellen Jane Bergman, Mary Elizabeth Bergman; and two great grandchildren, Lillian Jane Sampson and Margaret June Sampson.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roy Thomas Bergman.
Family and friends will gather Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 1:00 until time of service at 2:00 in Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis for a time of sharing memories and telling stories.
Doc will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife in a private family ceremony in Young’s Prairie Cemetery in Penn Township.
The family prefers contributions in his memory be made to Cass County Animal Control, 323 M-62, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031, or to Corewell Health Hospice and Palliative care, 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.
