Longtime educator dies at 82

Elia Powers

Ever the schmoozer, Paul Berger had one of his final academic

discussions late last month with Orange Coast College President Gene

Farrell.

“I told him, ‘Paul, thanks for what you’ve done for us. What can

we do?’” Farrell said.

“He paused for about 30 seconds, and then he answered, ‘Just keep

taking care of the students.’”

A Coast Community College District trustee since 1987, Berger was known as an advocate of student causes, including greater access to

the arts and lower activity fees.

In November, Berger was reelected to serve a fourth term as a

district trustee.

A Costa Mesa resident, Berger represented portions of his

hometown, as well as parts of Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley.

Berger died Saturday from complications of lung cancer. He was 82.

Berger received his doctorate in educational administration in

1963 from UC Berkeley.

Before moving into higher education, Berger was the founding

principal of Fountain Valley High School.

Berger convinced Tom Antal, current principal of Estancia High

School, to join his staff as a music teacher at Fountain Valley High.

Antal said Berger quickly became his mentor, and the two remained

friends through the years.

“I have never met anyone who knows more about how life works and

knows what motivates people than Paul,” Antal said. “He had the

ability to say profound statements in three words.”

In 1979, after 15 years as the headmaster at Fountain Valley High,

Berger was transferred to Marina High School.

He retired from the district in 1984.

Walt Howald, Coast Community College Board of Trustees president,

said while Berger primarily worked behind the scenes in his final

years, students always noticed his work.

“Seldom was there a place I went to with him that a former student

or a family member of a student wouldn’t stop to say hello,” Howald

said.

“He lived for the opportunity to talk about education and help

people pursue their goals.”

Berger served stints as board of trustees president.

As such, he was known as a leader with strong convictions,

particularly when it came to budgetary issues.

“He wouldn’t let up until you gave him a good answer,” Farrell

said.

An accomplished pianist and singer, Berger liked to attend student

theater productions and concerts.

He founded the Fountain Valley Kiwanis Club and remained active in

the organization.

Before his death, the Kiwanis Club created a Paul Berger

Scholarship Fund that provides money to Fountain Valley High students

who plan to attend one of the Coast Community College District

schools.

Berger is survived by his wife Barbara and his daughter Stephanie

Fitzpatrick.

Private funeral arrangements are being planned by his family.

A public memorial at Fountain Valley High School is scheduled for

4 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Howald said Berger’s trustee position will be filled in the next

60 days. He said the four remaining trustees will meet to discuss the

best way to fill the post.

“He’ll be a hard person to replace,” Howald said. “I’m going to

miss him very much.”