Douglas Ray Berka, 64, a Northland resident of Kansas City, MO, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 8, 2023. He was born November 28, 1958, in Emmetsburg, IA, to Melvin and Donna (Larson) Berka.
Doug was educated in Lincoln (NE) Public Schools, graduating with the Class of 1977 at Lincoln Northeast High School where he was a Hall of Fame athlete earning nine varsity letters and all-state team recognition in basketball. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. He spent 42 years working as a soil scientist in various capacities, including federal service with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in New Mexico, the Soil Conservation Service in Nebraska and Missouri, and the Corps of Engineers in Kansas City.
Family was central to Doug. His kind and gentle nature made him an attentive husband and devoted father. He was so proud of his two children, and will be lovingly remembered for his everlasting “coaching” – guidance and instructions. He was always up for having fun and enjoyed many long-lasting friendships throughout his life. A skilled cook, Doug was known for his range with meats from pan-fried panko-crusted tilapia to grilled steak to smoked brisket and salmon. His kids always looked forward to his skillet breakfast and milk and cookies. Doug loved all kinds of music, especially live performance and improvisation. He was a life-long fan of the Grateful Dead.
Doug married Andrea Catherine Neddermeyer on June 25, 1988, in Schleswig, IA. In addition to Andrea, survivors include a daughter, Lauren Thorson and husband Jody of Kansas City, MO; a son, Charles Berka and wife Natalie of Tulsa, OK; mother, Donna Berka of Lincoln, NE; three siblings: Reg Berka and wife Angie of Houston, TX; Diane Mayberger and husband John of Crete, NE; and Brad Berka and wife Deb of Lincoln, NE; three beloved grandchildren: Clark, Caroline, and Jack. He was preceded in death by his father Melvin Berka, and a sister, Karen Lind-Olson.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 13, 2023, at Meyers Funeral Chapel in Parkville. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at Bethel United Church of Christ, 4900 NE Parvin Road, Kansas City, MO. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Doug’s family requests that memorial contributions be made to Harvesters.
Sending our deepest sympathies to you all from Deb and Vike Kimberly. We have so many fond memories of the Berka’s and Kimberly’s get togethers. Sending prayers and big hug❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Sending my condolences to the family! Doug was a joy to be with in high school. An incredible all around athlete and a good friend! Lots of great sports memories!
My sincere sympathies to you all. Great teammate and the best free throw shooter I ever knew. Once a Rocket… Kevin “Rocky” Surface
This one really hits hard! I Grew up with Doug as preschoolers on 63rd and Huntington.
My thoughts are with his family and friends.
A true Northeast High legend.
Rest well Doug.
From Northeast and NSEA the Berka family was well thought of by my whole family, Noel and Irene Roberts. This is a tragic time of loss for you all and for that I am truly sorry. A strong family such as yours will be sustained by the many loving memories and special times together.
Thoughts and prayers for Doug’s family and friends. May you all find comfort in the Lord’s embrace.
Oh, my dear, I’m so very sorry for your loss! My heart is breaking for you and your family.. prayers for you and your kiddos! I’m sorry I can’t be there for you as I just had total shoulder replacement.
We love you guys. Will miss seeing Doug enjoying music and life.
Roger and Saundra Brough
Condolences to the entire Berka family, it’s been a very hard week. Doug was an absolute gentleman.
Met him at Pershing and will always remember him as a very personable, humble and genuine person. I remember car pooling with him going to UNL in ’78 – will always remember those days. His athletic ability and exploits made us all proud NE Rockets. Rest in peace my friend, you made the world is better a better place.
We are sending our deepest sympathies. Uncle Doug was the best, and I will never forget his laugh.
Our deepest sympathy for the Berka family. Our hearts ache for your loss.
Russ and Carol
So sorry Andrea, Doug was a good friend and a wonderful man. While your stay in Keokuk there was good times, our deepest sympathy. Rich and Wanda
Prayers & condolences to the berka family,grew up with Doug & other close friends playing every sport we could,played basketball with him in 7th- 9th grade & never lost a game.state championships in 7th &8th & city title in 9th, we will miss you forever,class of “77” lost a great one.
I grew up in the neighborhood with the Berka family and they were wonderful.I didn’t know Doug all that well since I hung out with Reg most of the time. Losing Doug and Karen in such a short time is horrible.My heart aches for Reg and the family.With such a crushing blow we can only look to Jesus the only hope for heaven and be reunited there.My prayers are with you all!
Deepest condolences to you during this difficult time. He was always a kind soul. I know he will be missed.
Brooke (Lind-Olson) Norris and family
Remembering how our souls were entwined in our youth, know that I’m not far away and I’m praying for you and yours, Andrea.
Much love to you~
RIP my friend,, you were a joy to be around. I’m so sad, my prayers are with the family 🙏🏼.
Doug was a true professional at USACE. I remember working with Doug on many projects, he really was an expert in his field. My condolences to your family and may Doug rest in peace.
This one hurts. I lost my friend, my teammate and my idol – all at the same time. I keep talking to friends remembering Berk and we all agree – if Anyone had a right to have a huge ego he did. Yet – he didn’t. He was laid back and cool his entire life – from grade school through this past year. As solid as a friend as you could have.
Hey 33 – go play some hoops and put some ankle breaker moves on those boys in heaven – then jog down to the other end and act like anyone could have done it.
Thanks for everything. I love you. Lav.
A very good guy and coworker, he always had time for ya. Enjoyed talking Nebraska U. football and all the strategies and players. I know he’ll be missed by everyone.
Andrea I’m so sorry to hear of your husband passing. You and your family have our sincere condolences.
Our deepest sympathies, Andrea. Prayers for you and the family.
Berka family, Please accept my deepest condolences on Doug’s passing. A true LNE legend and an even better person. It was a pleasure watching him play and he looked like he was born with a basketball in his hand. Even before he went to LNE he was the best player on the court and yet the least impressed by it. I miss the days for running into Mel at the store. He always took time to find out how his “former student” was doing. You family is what LNE was all about and why we were so lucky to go there. You are in my thoughts and prayers
My deepest sympathy ,my heart hurts for you n the kids .God be with you
We are so sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. Please hold your fond memories close during this difficult time. We will be thinking of you..
Our deepest sympathy to you Andrea and your family. God will hold you in his arms and give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Dean an Natalie
Our heartfelt condolences for Andrea, Lauren,Charles,Donna and all the rest of the Berka family.
Don’t know how many times my tears turn to laughter thinking about the Bear cub. From many concerts to canoe trips to playing softball together to camping to grilling out when we lived together. Unbelievable memories. If you’ve ever heard the song by Tim McGraw called “always be humble and kind”it’s exactly how Doug lived his life. Having 9 old buddies text messaging together the last 5 years has been like we were all in our twenties again. Love you my friend
That Berka laugh!
BEST. LAUGH. EVER!
Made ya laugh just listening to Doug laugh!
Godspeed Doug
My condolences to the Berka family. He was an extraordinary public servant and I know the U.S. Army Corps will miss him.
I met Doug a few times through training at work. He was always a pleasure to work with. My heartfelt condolences to your family.
My condolences Andrea and family. I can still hear Doug on the Missouri football trip when he said he had met this great girl and if I would mind if you came also. I said that would be ok with me and the smile he had at that time talking about you and then he said, and she loves the Grateful Dead too!! I knew he had found the one. I’m am so sorry I can not make it there and it’s hurting bad to not be there. Thanks Doug for being my friend and for all the good times. Take care Andrea. Peace and Love….
We are so sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. We are sending our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Our office at US EPA Region 7 has worked with Doug for literally decades through his role at the US Corps of Engineers. Doug had a wealth of experience that he brought, and he will be missed. I personally wanted you to know that we are sharing the news with our current and past team members. We wish you and your family peace, comfort, courage and love during this difficult time.
– EPA Region 7, Wetlands/ CWA 404 program
Chris and I are deeply saddened to hear of Doug, and also Karen. Our loving support goes out to Andrea and the family. Also, we can only hope that Donna can be lifted by all the love of friends and family in what must be tremendous sorrow for her losing two of her children. We all feel it. With love to the Berka family. From Ron and Chris.
Doug Berka, everyone’s friend,!! Had a great pleasure to know the man since third grade. At Pershing grade school, nobody could beat our Gray Y team, basketball or football, because we had Doug Berka on our team. Doug, I will love you always. And thank you for being my friend! Many great memories over a lifetime.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Doug was a wonderful Corps Regulatory Program Teammate in the state of Missouri as his passion and dedication were always paramount in his endeavors. He will be greatly missed while his contributions to the Regulatory Program will live on for years to come.
Respectfully,
Little Rock District
US Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Division
My condolences to the Berka family. I had the wonder opportunity of getting to know Doug over the years with our efforts on the Northwest Division Mitigation Team. He was helpful and was always willing to share knowledge. He will surely be missed. The world was a better place with him in it.
Andrea and Charles, I am so sorry to hear about Doug. I just found out tonight, 2/16. I have such great memories of coaching our boys together in little league baseball. I remember always talking Husker football. He will be sorely missed. We’ll be praying for you all. Love, Brad, Janice and Matt Mitchell.
My Condolences to the Berka family as a 1979 LNE Graduate I watched many of Doug’s athletic exploits and had his dad as a teacher. My prayers go out to the Berka family. Keep beating those Spartans up in heaven!
My sympathies to family and friends. I considered Doug to be a ‘Best’ friend. The memories of our friendship will never be forgotten. From the broken collar bone he gave me in the 1st grade,…Best ‘Man’ at my wedding, or the1977, Paul McCartney concert in Kansas City. His laugh and his smile brightened the world. I can hear him now! Best point guard I ever played against. Doug is the best at everything he did ! He will be dearly missed.