David M. Berg

David M. Berg, 77, of West Lafayette, died at 3:50 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at Clarian Arnett Hospital.
Born Dec. 4, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minn., he was the son of the late Merlen and Louella Clauson Berg.
He served in the Navy as a patrol plane commander from 1954 to 1960. He received a bachelor?s degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.; and a master?s degree in 1961 and Ph.D. in 1963, both from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
On June 26, 1955, he married Ramona Fletcher Berg in Blue Earth, Minn., and she survives.
Mr. Berg served as head of the Department of Communication at Purdue University from 1974 to 1988. He then returned to full time teaching until retiring in 2005. He had previously taught at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Kansas.
He enjoyed art, woodworking, home improvements and additions, reading and traveling.
Surviving with his wife are a daughter, Kimberly K. Wright (husband: Craig) of Westfield; a brother, Meredith W. Berg of Valparaiso; and a sister, Miriam Drangeid (husband: Paul) of Minnetonka, Minn.
Also surviving are 2 granddaughters, Taylor Leigh and Camden Grace Wright.
Memorial Service 4 p.m. Thursday at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Parkway West, Rabbi Jeff Adler officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the permanent collection fund of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette.