LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Bob (Bayard) F. Berg was born on March 14, 1933, in Mineola, New York and was called to heaven at 90 years old on June 14, 2023. He was residing in Buckingham in Kelseyville.

Bob was a beloved son to Treadwell Kirkpatrick Berg and Eleanor Folger of New York. He is survived by his loving children, Jeff (wife Laura Snider) of Kelseyville, Steve of Oregon and Kurt of Kelseyville; three grandkids, Zachery (wife Taylor), Holly and Jerri; two great-grandsons, Noah and Conner who he was very proud of.

Shortly after graduating high school in Garden City, New York, Bob voluntarily joined the United State Navy and served from 1952 to 1956. During that time, he met our mother, Ruth Holland, at a U.S.O. dance in Massachusetts. They soon married in 1957 and eventually moved to San Jose, California.

Bob took a job with PG&E working for 31 years before retiring and moving to Lake County. He enjoyed trains and boating and classic cars. May he rest in peace.

Visitation will be held at Clearlake Baptist Church, 555 N. Forbes St., in Lakeport on Friday, June 30, from 9 to 10 a.m., with the funeral service at 10 a.m.

Interment will be at Kelseyville Cemetery with a potluck gathering to follow at the American Legion Hall, 5005 Second St. in Kelseyville.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 26 June 2023

Norris T. Higgins (Norrie)
July 21, 1933 — May 30, 2023

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Norris T. Higgins, a loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandpa, great-grandpa, friend and proud Marine, passed suddenly on May 30, 2023, while tending his rose bushes in his backyard on a beautiful sunny day!

Norrie leaves behind his children, Cindy Smith (Kevin), Bonnie Hoeck (Walter), Harold Higgins, Bruce Higgins (Marilyn) and Richard Kettwig (Christine); 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his wife, Delphine Higgins, and his son, Steve Higgins.

Graveside celebration of life will be held at Upper Lake Cemetery on July 21 at 9:30 a.m.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 25 June 2023

Chester F. Johnson
1936-2023

“Say not in grief he is no more but in thankfulness that he was.” — Hebrew Proverb

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Chet passed away quietly at his home in Lakeport on June 2, 2023, with his children lovingly watching over him.

He was an only child, born in Upper Lake, California in November 1936, to Franklin “Frank” and Frances “Frankie” Johnson of Nice.

He was raised on the shores of Clear Lake, at what was then Laurel Beach Resort in Nice.

Chet could swim at 6 months old. As a child, he developed a love of building engines. At 12 years of age, Chet rebuilt an old Model A flatbed truck that is still in the family today. It still runs!

Chet graduated from Upper Lake High School in 1954. That fall, he joined the military. Chet was a proud Navy "Seabee" veteran, having taken part in building a Naval Air Station and airstrip in Subic Bay, Philippines.

Upon his return to the states, the GI Bill sent Chet to San Francisco's Heald College of Engineering.

He roomed with his best friend Clyde Morrow. Clyde introduced Chet to his girlfriend's best friend, Fay. It was not long before Chet quit school, came home and married her. Clyde married his girlfriend Martha and the four were lifelong friends.

In later years, Chet would say he could not imagine working in an office environment and was incredibly happy that he chose to be a mechanic. His father was Lake County’s road commissioner/surveyor. His disappointment that his son would not follow in his footsteps was soon replaced with the joy of three grandchildren.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Chet was truly fortunate to work for Ed and Charlotte Brown at the Bar B Marina in Nice, directly across the street from his family home. He had great love and respect for Ed Sr. and thought of him like a second father.

Chet built and repaired boat engines and motorcycles for many years at Hillside Honda in several locations. There was not an engine made that he could not repair or an engineering problem he could not solve.

In later years he built several homes and a church with his brother-in-law, Richard, and son David. He loved the time he spent building race cars with his sons.

After selling the Nice property to Len and Lorraine Bassignani (Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast was born!), Chet and Fay retired to their cabin in the woods on the outskirts of Fort Bragg. There, they lived 17 years before coming back to where they always called home, beautiful Lake County.

Chet often told a story of attending the Lake County Fair with Fay when they first started dating. He fondly remembered stuffing her pink petticoats and big blonde hair inside the cab of his 56 Ford Pickup. He claimed to remember the entire night from start to finish. They sat beside each other in that old truck wherever they went for many years. Chet never got used to life without Fay; after over half a century together, she passed away in 2016.

Chet had a wicked quick wit and a talent for twisting the English language. Friends gathered at his shop in Nice, where they would wrench, barter, banter and have an all-around great time. Beer was consumed!

Chet was among the last of his group, and he missed his friends terribly. Upper Lake High School alumni John Story, Lee Elkins and Ray Tisell continued to visit him often in recent months, as did Fred Middendorff. It never failed to lift his spirits.

There will never be another Chet Johnson. Those who knew him can attest to that!

He is predeceased by his parents, his wife of 56 years, Fay, and eldest son, Donald.

Chet is survived by his son and best friend, David; daughter, Denise; and son-in-law, Fred.

At his request, there will be no services. A very sincere thank you to Hospice Services of Lake County.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 24 June 2023