Born in 1935, Carl Bergard remained a lifelong resident of Oakland, California.
Schooled in Oakland, Carl enrolled and continued his education at University of California Berkeley. With his degree, he pursued a career in engineering working with Fairchild Industries and IBM Corporation until his retirement.
Carl enjoyed shopping on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, getting his coffee in San Leandro and working out at the Oakland YMCA. He became a well-known regular at his favorite spots. Later in life, he bought a boat, took sailing lessons and became an experienced sailor of the bay with the spectacular views of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge. He also always found time to go to one of his favorite places, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to pursue his enjoyment of fishing.
Carl was also a casual player of the California Lottery. One day he became a lucky winner of a $16 million jackpot. In 1996, working with his friend and attorney Leon Seyranian , Carl decided that a substantial portion of his winnings should be used to form a Foundation that would provide small grants to non-profit organizations in Alameda and Western Contra Costa counties. These grants would help service the needs of others who were not as fortunate as he was. Thanks to Carl’s unselfish and quiet generosity, the West Davis & Bergard Foundation has proudly funded over $2,000,000 to over 75 Non-Profit Bay Area organizations during it’s 20 year history. None of this would be possible without Carl Bergard.
Carl passed away peacefully under his own terms in January 2020. The West Davis & Bergard Foundation will miss Carl’s sense of humor, practical manners & unassuming generosity. The Foundation plans to continue on with Carl’s original vision.