Dr. Edward Frank Berg, former Director of Ophthalmology at Jewish Hospital, who had traveled overseas to donate his surgical services to underserved people, lost what family members and friends described as a long and valiant struggle with pancreatic cancer. Dr. Berg, 69, died at his home last Friday morning, May 30, 2008, where he had received the constant care of his family, friends and health care professionals. Dr. Berg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two-and-a-half years ago. He underwent surgery and recovered to a remarkable extent, keeping a full schedule of activities, including daily walks, travel, reading and talking with family and friends about his favorite topics.

“Ed was able to preside at the Passover Seder for his family and friends, an annual event which he and his wife Maris have hosted for years,” a family member said. “We are very grateful that he was able to enjoy that event and so many others despite the challenges of his illness.”

Dr. Berg was born in St. Louis on July 24, 1938, the son of Ruth Berg and the late Dr. Ralph Berg. He was a graduate of Clayton High School, and graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1960, and his M.D. degree from the Washington University School of Medicine in 1964. Dr. Berg and his late father, Dr. Ralph Berg and his son, Dr. Daniel Berg, were all three graduates of the Washington University School of Medicine and are believed to have been the first Jewish three-generation graduates of the school.

Dr. Berg was a captain in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Chief of Ophthalmology for the Pacific Region, stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines and Special Consultant in Ophthalmology for the Republic of Korea Forces, 1968-1970, during the Vietnam War.

He was Director of Ophthalmology at Jewish Hospital (now Barnes-Jewish) in 1971 and 1972, and Washington University Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine from 1972 until his death.

Dr. Berg was in private practice for many years, first with the late Dr. Harry Rosenbaum, and then with close friend Dr. Ron Bilchik at West County Ophthalmology until pancreatic cancer forced his retirement. “He missed the connections he had with his patients,” said his wife, Maris Berg. After retirement he worked with the Admissions Department at the Washington University Medical School.

“He felt privileged to explore remote areas of the world and perform surgery in Nigeria, Bolivia, Mexico and Guatemala as a volunteer,” Maris Berg added. Many of the surgical procedures performed by Dr. Berg restored vision to impoverished people who had been blind for many years.

Family members, friends and medical colleagues expressed astonishment at Dr. Berg’s tenacious determination to beat back the ravages of his pancreatic cancer. He was always known as the “picture of health,” and his illness was a shock to his family and friends. He became active in PanCAN St. Louis, the local chapter of a group that raises funds to battle the disease. Dr. Berg fulfilled a longtime dream by throwing a ceremonial first pitch at a St. Louis Cardinals game last summer on behalf of PanCAN.

Edward and Maris Berg were active members of Central Reform Congregation.

Survivors include his wife, Maris Frager Berg; sons Dr. Daniel Berg and Michael Berg; his mother, Ruth Berg (the late Dr. Ralph) and a sister, Barbara Berg Cohn (Robert).

Memorial services will be held at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, 10 a.m., Monday, June 9, 2008. Memorial contributions may be made to Forest Park Forever, St. Louis Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, Central Reform Congregation, the Scholarship Foundation, the USO or to PanCAN.