Obituaries
& Tributes

828-524-5540
Immediate Need

Pre-Arrange
Your Funeral

Contact
Us

Site
Search

A A A

Text Sizing

Macon Funeral Home

261 Iotla Street, Franklin, NC 28734

Macon Funeral Home

261 Iotla Street, Franklin, NC 28734

The Memorial Candle Program has been designed to help offset the costs associated with the hosting this Tribute Website in perpetuity. Through the lighting of a memorial candle, your thoughtful gesture will be recorded in the Book of Memories and the proceeds will go directly towards helping ensure that the family and friends of Frederick Berger can continue to memorialize, re-visit, interact with each other and enhance this tribute for future generations.

Thank you.

Cancel
Select Candle

Obituary for Frederick Berger MD

Frederick  Berger MD
Frederick A. Berger, M.D.
Dr. Frederick A. Berger of Franklin, NC, passed away on October 18, 2014, in Winston-Salem, NC, after a brief but intense, courageous battle against cancer.
To summarize Dr. Berger’s life and character in a short composition is not possible, but the words of one of his lifelong friends may help to convey what we all will miss: “Fred was one of the most highly intelligent, talented people you might know, who was completely devoid of ego and 100 percent honest. He was an ultra-sweet man…who was completely comfortable with who he was and wasn't, and lived a beautiful life…”
Dr. Berger was born in St. Louis, MO, on July 11, 1946. He graduated from Clayton High School, Clayton, MO, in 1964, where he was known to his friends as “Bert.” He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University in 1968. A member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at Duke, his mellow demeanor and gentle sense of humor earned him the nickname “Amiable Fred.”
After graduating from Duke, he received his M.D. degree from St. Louis University. After completing his residency in 1975 at the University of Florida, Dr. Berger dedicated his career as a pediatrician in Franklin to serving his patients and their parents. He was, in fact, the only pediatrician in Franklin from 1975-1996. A throwback to the country doctors of yesteryear, Dr. Berger routinely took calls at home from those in need. In addition to his pediatric practice, he was the Center Physician at the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center since 1980.
Active in the Franklin community, Dr. Berger was a Rotarian; a founding member of Mountain Synagogue, for which he obtained a Holocaust Torah; past Director of the Carolina Mountain Bank, Franklin Office; past President and Secretary of the Mountain Pediatric Society; member of the Macon County Board of Health; member of the NC Pediatric Society; Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics; member on the Health Advisory Board for Macon Program for Progress and Early Head Start; and past Chief of Staff and Secretary at Angel Medical Center (AMC). On July 1, 2005, the AMC Women's and Children's Nursery was named for Dr. Berger in honor of 30 years of service.
Dr. Berger also shared his thespian and musical talents with the community. An enthusiastic singer, dancer, and actor, he was well-known as a regular performer with the Overlook Players, for which he was a founding member in 1996. He starred in comedic and Broadway musical roles ranging from Pharaoh and Pseudolus to Tevya and Snoopy. Athletic and fit, Dr. Berger was an accomplished triathlete. To relax, he enjoyed guitar and golf, and for excitement he was an avid, loyal fan of the Duke Blue Devils.
Most of all, Dr. Berger was a family man -- a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He also was a dear friend to many, staying in close touch with buddies dating back to his early childhood.
Dr. Berger is survived by his wife, Lee; daughters Jennifer Brown (Robbie), Amy Richmond (Lea IV), and Stephanie Case (Brian); grandchildren Benjamin Brown, Nathaniel Brown, CeCe Richmond, Lea Richmond V, Zachry Richmond, and Della Case; his brother, Mike Berger (Janet); and nephews Matthew Berger and Marc Berger.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Frederick A. Berger, MD to Hematology and Oncology Gift Fund for Melanoma Research, WFBMC Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, PO Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021 or to the Foundation for Angel Medical Center, PO Box 1209, Franklin, NC 28744
Memorial services will held at 2:30 PM, November 23rd at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dorrie Pratt and Rabbi Janet Madden will officiate.
Macon Funeral Home in Franklin is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frederick Berger MD, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Order Flowers
Recently Shared Condolences
Recently Lit Memorial Candles
Recently Shared Stories
Recently Shared Photos
Book of Memories
Proudly Serving the Communities of Franklin and Macon County and surrounding areas
828-524-5540 Macon Funeral Home | 261 Iotla Street | Franklin, NC 28734 | Fax: 828-349-0818 | Email: maconfuneralhome@frontier.com 828-524-5540 Macon Funeral Home | 261 Iotla Street | Franklin, NC 28734 | Fax: 828-349-0818 | Email: maconfuneralhome@frontier.com 828-524-5540 Macon Funeral Home | 261 Iotla Street | Franklin, NC 28734 | Fax: 828-349-0818 | Email: maconfuneralhome@frontier.com 828-524-5540 Macon Funeral Home | 261 Iotla Street | Franklin, NC 28734 | Fax: 828-349-0818 | Email: maconfuneralhome@frontier.com 828-524-5540 Macon Funeral Home | Macon Funeral Home | 261 Iotla Street | Franklin, NC 28734 | Fax: 828-349-0818 | Email: maconfuneralhome@frontier.com