Gene Bergman, age 71, resident of Pinole, died in the morning of Aug. 18th, after a two year battle with cancer.

Son of the late Mildred Luella Bergman and the late George Wiley Bergman, brother of Roger Wiley Bergman and the late David Calvin Bergman, beloved father to Giaour Leigh Christenson, respected father-in-law to Eric Christenson and grandfather to 1 yr old Brody Liam Christenson.

Born in Des Plaines, IL, Gene attended Maine East Township H.S., received a B.S. in Social Science from Northern Illinois University in 1956, served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator until 1963, then obtained his teaching credentials and moved to the Bay Area in the mid 1960s.

He was a passionate volunteer D.J. for Berkeley's KPFA radio and obtained his amateur radio license, claiming the handle "Big Cheese."

Gene taught H.S. and then opened his own private school known as The Berkeley School. He eventually left teaching for a career in real estate, and was named the Berkeley Association of Realtors President in 1995, a title that which awarded him the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at an Oakland A's baseball game.

Avid collector of war propaganda posters, Gene was fond of playing bridge and visiting with friends from the Pinole Senior Singles.

His intoxicating humor and pointed intelligence won over the souls of many. Dad, you are forever in our hearts and will be dearly missed. Over and out Big Cheese, we love you.

Visitation services will be held at Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries, 455 - 24th St. in Richmond, Monday, August 22, 2005 between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Gene will be buried next to his mother and brother David in Des Plaines, IL. Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center 510-232-4383