In loving memory of Edward Bergman, Jr. - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Edward “Rocky” Bergman, Jr.

Edward “Rocky” Bergman, Jr., 89, of Winter Park, passed away February 17, 2020, after a long illness. Born into a military family at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas, he attended numerous schools in the United States and abroad, graduating from Winter Park High School in 1948. He received his B.A. and was a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Florida in 1952. After graduation, he served in the US Army in the US and Germany as a Lieutenant, Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer. His posting to Germany (“The Easternmost Outpost of Democracy”) left an indelible impression on him…and apparently a life-long love of German food!
Following military service, Rocky held sales and management positions with Chicago and New York steel and publishing firms. He returned to Florida in 1969 and founded Bergman & Associates, Inc., Commercial Real Estate Brokers, in Leesburg in 1975.
Though his planned military career was cut short due to family considerations, Rocky’s parents undoubtedly set him on a path to a life of service to others. His father was born in Germany and came to America as a very young orphan. With no formal education, he enlisted in the Army in 1910, was promoted to Battalion Sergeant Major in 1917, and fought in five major campaigns in France, was gassed and wounded. Following enlisted service for 30 years, he reactivated his reserve rank of Major in 1940, and retired as a Colonel in 1946. Rocky’s mother was a member of the first Girl Scouts of America group in Savannah, GA. Both parents were role models of service and patriotism.
Throughout his life, Rocky participated in numerous professional, civic and service activities. During his career in Real Estate, he served as State President of the Florida CCIM Chapter, President of the Leesburg Board of Realtors, Lay Member of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, and was on Citizen Boards in Lake County and, in retirement, Orange County and Orlando. He enjoyed membership in Leadership Lake County and Leadership Orlando. He was active as a 32nd Degree Mason for over 40 years and a Rotary International member for over 45 years. He served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. A committed volunteer with the Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, he served as Treasurer from 2007-2012.
In 2001, Rocky moved into Westminster Towers Orlando, where he met Cissy, the woman he was to marry five years later. After Cissy’s retirement in 2012, they moved to Westminster Winter Park. They were blessed in having a true love story of a marriage. They shared many common interests, and travel was high on their lists. Even with their “advanced ages,” they enjoyed trips to Great Britain and Europe, exploring great cities, as well as small villages and back roads. Caribbean cruises introduced them to para-sailing and zip-lining. They hiked in the Rocky Mountains, took in the scenery of fall colors in Canada and New England, saw the sights…and a few Broadway shows…in New York, and snorkeled and swam with the sharks and rays in the South Pacific. Life back home was full of the arts, wonderful events, and even more wonderful friendships and family time.
Rocky loved God, his country, his family, and life, and he lived life to the fullest. He loved travel, classical music, the performing arts, American history, flying, and sports of all kinds. He is remembered by many friends and family for his kindness, enduring optimism, and sense of humor…and the twinkle in his eyes.
He is predeceased by his wife Susan Cauthen King Bergman. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of fourteen years, Frances “Cissy” O. Bergman, son Edward “Trey” Bergman III of Houston, TX, daughter Nikilen “Niki” Bergman Feast of Fairhope, AL, grandsons Mason Bergman, Chicago, IL, and Nicholas Bergman, Houston, TX; step-sons, L. T. “Tracy” King, Birmingham, AL, Sam King, Oviedo, FL, and Randy King, Vancouver, BC, Canada; sister-in-law, Mary Louise Crosby, Charleston, SC.
Due to Covid-19 challenges, a Celebration of Life is postponed indefinitely. Donations in memory of Rocky can be made to the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, or Westminster Winter Park Cultural Endowment.