Walter C. Bergman

Walter C. "Corky" Bergman, age 71 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 6 ^th , 2021.  Walt was born October 10 ^th , 1949 in Appleton, to the late Walter T. and Katherine (Gilman) Bergman.

Walt moved to the Plover area in 1953 and attended both the old and new Roosevelt grade schools in Plover. He graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1967 and went to broadcasting school in Milwaukee before attending UW-Stevens Point.

In 1969, Walt continued his broadcasting education at Brown Institute in Minneapolis, where he received his First-Class Radio License. In August of 1970 he began a 39-year career in radio and television, starting out as an announcer at WFHR radio in Wisconsin Rapids.

Walt married Barbara Ehrich on June 5 ^th , 1976. They settled in Plover and raised 2 daughters, Melanie and Lynn.

In 1976, Walt joined WSPT in Stevens Point in the advertising sales department, where he worked his way into sales management and eventually station management before joining Jim Schuh as a partner in starting WIZD radio in Plover in 1989. Walt was Vice President and General Manager of station operations as well as on air host of some of the station's special programs. After selling the station to Midwest Communications in 1999, he took some time off before joining WAOW Television as an Account Executive in September of 2001 where he was employed until his retirement in 2009.

In his younger days, Walt enjoyed scuba diving, stock car racing, horse back riding fishing and outdoors sports. His passion for the outdoors remained throughout his life, enjoying to the fullest his lakeside cabin in Boulder Junction.  He also enjoyed playing pool, cards, golf, gardening and riding his beloved Harley Davidson. His favorite time was spent around the campfire with family Up North.

Walt held positions as past presidents of the Plover Area Business Association, the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Central Wisconsin Radio Broadcasters Association and had served on the Chamber of Commerce, CVB and PABA board.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Barbara, Plover, daughters Melanie (Keith) Norton of Waukesha and Lynn (Randy) Frost, Plover and grandsons, Tyler and Brandon Norton.  Brother-in-laws, Don (Sarah) Ehrich and John Ehrich of Cherokee, IA and sister-in-law, Nancy Putensen, Holstein, IA, nieces, nephews, cousins and many good friends.  Walt was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary (Lublin) Bergman and his beloved dogs Max and Oscar.

Walt was loved by many and will be greatly missed.  There will be a celebration of life at Pisarski Community Funeral Home of Plover, on Saturday, October 23 ^rd from 2-5 pm with time of sharing at 5pm.

For his love of animals, a memorial will be made to the Portage County Humane Society.  The family would like to thank the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their loving and compassionate care.

The Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family.  For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com