Dwain J. Berggren

Rocks were the core of Dwain Berggren’s life. Boys born in 1933 in Bushnell, Il.
were expected to become farmers like their fathers. As a high school senior,
however, Dwain the son of Alvin, a farmer, and Velma Berggren declared his goal
was to be a geologist.

Supported by his mother, Dwain started college, but was drafted into the army
during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. He returned to Illinois where he
entered UIUC, finished his hours, and obtained a master’s degree in science and
liberal arts.

He first taught technical writing and English composition courses at newly-opened
community colleges both in California and Illinois. He was hired by the ILLINOIS
STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY where he did field work, wrote technical manuals
and public information materials, as well as classroom units for teachers and
students. He offered tours to local nature areas as part of the Survey’s outreach
to the community and developed a street geology trip that focused on
deteriorated curbs and the rocks contained therein.

His passion for rocks helped form his focus on the larger natural environment.
Early on he was concerned that human behavior was systematically destroying
natural areas in Champaign County. He became a steward for the renewal of
Loda Prairie, joined Prairie Rivers Network, and provided the scientific argument
for the opposition to new coal mining in Champaign County. Dwain served on the
Citizens Advisory Committee to the Champaign County Forest Preserve District as
they reviewed land use policies.

His last project was a series of self-guided, geological tours of Champaign County
Quadrants –the Southeast and the Southwest. The two northern quadrants were
never completed.

Dwain also had a keen interest in photography. He had studied at the Art Institute
in Chicago and learned not only how to take good pictures, but the history and art
of photography. He collected examples of 19th century images and techniques and gave talks on fashion, early photographers in Illinois, and the customs and
traditions that grew up as a result of this new invention called a “camera”.

Dwain was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, a member of GROW, and active in
the local Democratic Party.

Dwain died Sunday, April 14th after three weeks in hospice care. He was
preceded in death by his daughter Kirsten, and is survived by two children Nick
and Anne, his wife Barbara Wysocki, and many long-time friends including Dan
McCollum and Mark Chalabala of Chicago.

A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. Patrick’s Church in Urbana on Wednesday
April 24 at 10:00. Burial will be private and scheduled for a later date.

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