Bert was born to Hulda and Sam Hemmingsen in Sundown Township, Minnesota, the youngest of seven siblings. He was raised in the small town of Redwood Falls, also in Minnesota, where he enjoyed the many outdoor activities and later became a well-known local football player.

Like so many young men, his life was interrupted by WWII. He served his country with the U.S Navy as a Seabee and was part of the Occupation Force of Japan, constructing barracks and other facilities to support the Army and Marines stationed there. Discharged in 1948, he moved to California where he found employment with Standard Oil (Chevron) at the Richmond Refinery. There he stayed with family that had also migrated to the Richmond Naval Shipyards during the war, where he was also reacquainted with hometown friends; one in particular named Effie Jane Hale that would become his wife, mother of their two children, and companion for 57 years until her death in 2008.

During the early years of 1950, the Korean War sent him back into duty with the Navy where he served in the Philippines and Aleutian Islands. After his final discharge from military service, he returned to his job at Standard Oil Richmond Refinery where he experienced a successful career in operations management for 34 years.

Bert enjoyed fishing, golfing and the company of his family, and was an avid fan of both the San Francisco Giants and Forty Niners. During his residency in the new suburb of Tara Hills (San Pablo, CA) in the 1960’s, Bert was one of the founding members and contributors to the Boys Baseball Program in that area, where he coached and mentored young kids. About the time of his retirement, Bert and Effie moved to Vallejo, CA where they could be close to their children; and later residing on the golf course at the Rio Vista Country Club.

Bert is survived by his daughter Kris (David) Ballard and son Dana (Yvonne), as well as his two stepchildren Wally Hale and Jean Fuhrman. His grandchildren include, Dan (Heidi), Holly (Sean), Kelli (Terry), Kevin (Teresa) and Tom, as well as six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held March 8, Saturday at 10:00 am at Sunset View Cemetery, 101 Colusa Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530, (510) 525-5111.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to the: Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research, www.michaeljfox.org.