RICHARD “DICK” FRANCIS BERGNER
1930-2017
Richard “Dick” Francis Bergner passed away peacefully September 18, 2017 from pneumonia at the age of 86 in Houston Texas. He was born to Richard Edward and Helen Corti Bergner November 19, 1930 in The Bronx, New York City, New York. He graduated from Evander Childs High School in 1947 where he excelled in basketball, earning First Team All-New York City honors his senior year. At 17 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and saw active duty as a radio operator attached to a forward Marine Observer unit during the Korean War where he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. After an honorable discharge in 1952, he returned home to Dallas Texas where his family had relocated. He soon enrolled at The University of Texas Austin where he met his first wife of 36 years Sarah Ward Billups, with whom he had his three children. He was a proud member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the Texas Cowboy’s Association, and was very involved with intramural sports where he played basketball and volleyball. After receiving an undergraduate BA degree, he attended The University of Texas Law School where he graduated with honors in 1958. His legal career began at the law firm of Andrews Kurth which led to a long successful private practice with many great partners and clients over the last 59 years. In 1995 he married Suzy Ferrett and they enjoyed numerous years together traveling and entertaining friends. Dick loved playing tennis, running at Memorial Park, dancing, music, family and friends. He always said the greatest times of his life were the births of his three children and his days at “The University”. Dick will be best remembered for his keen legal mind, wonderful sense of humor, unflagging positive attitude and absolute love and devotion to all thing’s University of Texas and Longhorn Orange!!
He is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Helen Bergner. He is survived by his sister Sue Bergner Bifano: children Francesca Bergner Stedman and husband David Gude; Joseph Billups Bergner and wife Christy; Richard Francis Bergner Jr. and wife Linda; grandchildren: Wesley
Stedman, Scarlet Neath, Joseph Bergner Jr. and Blaze Bergner; niece Diane Bifano and nephew Richard Bifano. Serving as Honorary pallbearers are Peter Whiteford, Ray Fiveash, Don Ford, Dudley McCalla, Bill Allen, Risher Randall, F Carrington Weems and Herbert Towning Jr. The family would like to offer special thanks to all of the professionals at Methodist Hospital and Brookdale Galleria for their care, and the Houston Hospice for making him comfortable to the end.
A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at BradshawCarter Memorial & Funeral Services, 1734 West Alabama, on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at five o’clock in the
afternoon. As per his wishes, he will have a military burial at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive in Houston on Friday, September 29, 2017, for those interested in attending please arrive promptly at 1:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The University of Texas Cowboys, P.O. Box 1448, Austin, Texas 78630, payable to The Texas Exes in his memory.