This fund was created by Genevieve Berg (1923-2019) as a memorial to her husband, Dale.
Scholarships from the fund are available to graduates of East Aurora or West Aurora High School.
These awards are reserved for students who are pursuing a career in electrical engineering, electronic engineering technology, computer engineering, computer electronics or similar fields of study.
Dale Berg (1923-2010) was born to Theodore Stanley and Pauline Berg in Shabbona, Illinois.
He graduated from Hinckley High School in 1941. After high school, Mr. Berg took a job as a dairy tester; testing the fat content of milk. His dream was to become a dairy farmer.
He enlisted in the United States Navy in November 1942 and served his country during WWII in the Pacific.
His ship was hit by a torpedo on the way across the ocean and he spent his time during the war on a Pacific Island repairing aircraft radios. In 1946, Mr. Berg was honorably discharged from the Navy.
It was during this time that he met Genevieve Olson, also of Shabbona. They were married in Calvary Lutheran Church on January 3, 1948.
Mr. Berg received further training in radio electronics at Capital Engineering Institute in Washington D.C. from which he graduated in 1948. Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Aurora.
Mr. Berg’s first job out of school was with May Appliance in Aurora where he repaired radios, televisions and appliances. Soon after, he took a job as a technical writer with Halicrafters, a manufacturer of radio equipment.
Eventually, he became an electrical contractor and ran a successful business, Berg Electric, in Batavia with his partner and brother Richard Berg.
Dale Berg became an expert in his field and was often called upon for complex commercial and industrial wiring jobs as well as large residential projects.
In 1988, he received a Lifetime Membership from the Northern Illinois Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
Throughout his life, Mr. Berg enjoyed being with friends and family. He became a private pilot and owned a Cessna 172.
Finally, Mr. Berg was a dedicated member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aurora where he served as a deacon, trustee, usher and coordinator of the Radio Ministries for fifty years.
