Rocks were the core of Dwain Berggren’s life. Boys born in 1933 in Bushnell, Il. were expected to become farmers like their fathers. As a high school senior, however, Dwain the son of Alvin, a farmer, and Velma Berggren declared his goal was to be a geologist.
Supported by his mother, Dwain started college, but was drafted into the army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. He returned to Illinois where he entered UIUC, finished his hours, and obtained a master’s degree in science and liberal arts.
He first taught technical writing and English composition courses at newly-opened community colleges both in California and Illinois. He was hired by the ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY where he did field work, wrote technical manuals
and public information materials, as well as classroom units for teachers and students. He offered tours to local nature areas as part of the Survey’s outreach to the community and developed a street geology trip that focused on deteriorated curbs and the rocks contained therein.
His passion for rocks helped form his focus on the larger natural environment. Early on he was concerned that human behavior was systematically destroying natural areas in Champaign County. He became a steward for the renewal of Loda Prairie, joined Prairie Rivers Network, and provided the scientific argument for the opposition to new coal mining in Champaign County. Dwain served on the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Champaign County Forest Preserve District as they reviewed land use policies.
His last project was a series of self-guided, geological tours of Champaign County Quadrants –the Southeast and the Southwest. The two northern quadrants were never completed.
Dwain also had a keen interest in photography. He had studied at the Art Institute in Chicago and learned not only how to take good pictures, but the history and art of photography. He collected examples of 19th century images and techniques and gave talks on fashion, early photographers in Illinois, and the customs and traditions that grew up as a result of this new invention called a “camera”. Dwain was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, a member of GROW, and active in the local Democratic Party.
Dwain died Sunday, April 14th after three weeks in hospice care. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kirsten, and is survived by two children Nick and Anne, his wife Barbara Wysocki, and many long-time friends including Dan McCollum and Mark Chalabala of Chicago.