RIP Bruce Berger (Buddha)

[peek 21]

It is sad for me to inform you that Bruce Berger (known as Buddha by many skydivers, and certainly at the World Freefall Convention) was killed by a train Tuesday the 21st.

The WFFC office said his wife contacted them. We don't know anything else. There might be more put on the WFFC web site Message Board later.

He lived in the Chicago area and had not jumped much the last few years. The two newspaper articles I could find about it are here.

If anyone has any pictures of him please post them.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/sunpub/naper/top/n22train.htm
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/sunpub/naper/news/n23train.htm

[riggerrob 643]

Bummer!
I have fond memories of jumping with Buddha at Hinckley back in 1992.
Condolences to his family.
We should remind his family of how much skydivers loved Buddha.

[jumpwally 0]

Yeah post a pic please,,he sounds real familiar,i think i jumped with him at Sydive Sandwich...bummer

smile, be nice, enjoy life
FB # - 1083

[hexadecimal 0]

I know I've heard the name, but I'm not sure if I ever met him...

Condolences to his friends and family.

[Faicon9493 141]

I remember him from back in the day when I was in the midwest. I am sorry to hear of his passing. I remember him as a good guy to be around.

[FrEaK_aCcIdEnT 0]

while i never knew him and I dont know what his life was like. I always wonder what a person is thinking. That there is no way out than to take your own life. My sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Buddha. Some how i think that if he knew what alot of people thought of him that he would have made a different decision. Maybe in the end this will be ruled an accident. I read both links and one guy said it couldnt have been a trip and fall. Maybe he was wrong. I hope so. I lost a cousin about 10 years ago who decided that there was too much pain and suffering that he couldnt take it anymore. Its really sad. While I cant say anything to make things right, I feel that anyone i read about on these boards that has passed on or is getting out of the sport is one more person I will not have the oppertunity to learn from.

BSBD Buddha

Maybe there is a lesson to be learned. Possibly its that everyone needs to make sure to tell a friend what they mean to them, Let them know they are your friend. everyone needs a friend. Without friendship the world is a lonely place. Lonelyness is not happiness. If you have time to listen then listen to the person. If you think you dont have time then make time.

ExPeCt ThE uNeXpEcTeD!
DoNt MiNd ThE tYpOs, Im LaZy On CoRrEcTiOnS!

[L.O. 0]

I have already responded to this in another forum but I will do it again here. Buddha was my hero in the early 90s, the guy had a great personality. He didn't hold back and tell you how great you did if you sucked. He was a true honest person. The last time I saw him we talked about our hot new mini-vans and how we would never go without again. we laughed and carried on, then he had to head home. I gave him a hug and told him we needed to seem him more. We really missed him. Now all those good times will only bring a tear to my eye.

Some people who are a lot more important are going to miss him now. who cares about his skydiving buddies. His wife and family need to know how much the community he was a part of loved him and if you can maybe let them know.

Blue Skies Buddha

HPDBs, I hate those guys.
AFB, charter member.

[flyangel2 2]

I met Bruce years ago at the WFFC when it was being held in Quincy.

I'll never forget the first time I jumped with him; I was just a pup and was trying to break into doing more of the bigger and better stuff. I walked into the LO tent he was running and let him know I wanted to jump with him and his group. I almost didn't stay for the jump, because of the way he yelled and screamed at the people on the load. The skydive didn't go as well as he wanted it to go, and he started yelling and screaming at the jumpers that didn't perform well. His words were, "Get the hell out of my tent you piggies." Then he turned to me and said, "Except you, you stay! You're going to do a four way with me."

I can still hear Buddha's voice, walking around the WFFC grounds, yelling and screaming for all the little piggies to come play with him.

The last time I talked to Bruce he had a different life. A life filled with a family.

Blue Skies Buddha, I'll catch up with you again.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[smooth 0]

For those of you in the Chicago area :

Bruce Berger, "Bhudda"
Wake: Friday, 24 Mar 06, 4 pm to 8 pm
Calvary Church
Route 59 and 83rd Street
Aurora, Illinois

Funeral: Saturday, 25 Mar 06, 10 am

[jumpwally 0]

No pics anyone?

smile, be nice, enjoy life
FB # - 1083