Eric Wilson Berg

Eric Wilson Berg, of Southfield, Michigan, son of Anne Wade Berg and Robert Wilson Berg, Jr., was born October 7, 1982 in Chicago, Illinois. He died September 5, 2015 at the age of 32. Eric overcame many obstacles in life with humor, charm, and a witty personality. Highly social, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was an avid poker player and a voracious reader. He loved animals and shared companionship with his four dachshunds: Aces, Jack, Sandy, and Oliver. He volunteered his time for many social justice causes: legal aid for youth aging out of the foster system, fighting for marriage equality, and connecting the legal community to Detroit's underserved areas through pro bono, educational, and charitable efforts. Eric was educated in the Southfield Public Schools. He graduated in 2001 from Southfield-Lathrup High School, where he earned varsity letters in swimming and golf and was an active member of the Class of 2001. In middle and high school, he was a member of Boy Scout Troup 1677 where he enjoyed many activities, especially camping. He attended the Boy Scout National Jamboree in 1997 and also backpacked at Philmont Scout Ranch. He ultimately earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. Eric studied political science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with 'distinction in 2005, and then served for two years with Teach for America in Miami as a social studies teacher at José De Diego Middle School. He then earned his law degree from Wayne State University in 2011 and after graduation served as a clerk at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan for Judge Avern Cohn. He was an attorney with two law firms before opening his own practice earlier this year. Eric is survived by his parents, Anne and Robert Berg, brother Justin (Jessica), twin brother Andrew (Margarita), sisters Laura (José) Rodríguez and Jacqueline (Tracy), his girlfriend, Melissa Graybosch, and seven nieces and nephews, including his godson, Óscar. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends. Visitation is from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm and the funeral service is at 7:00 pm on Friday, September 11, 2015, at Birmingham Unitarian Church, 38651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Eric's memory to either the Transition to Independence Program at Wayne State University where he provided many hours of pro bono legal services to increase college access and improve the graduation rates of foster care youth in Southeast Michigan (tipwaynestate.org) or the Detroit Dog Rescue, Detroit's first no-kill shelter, a cause about which Eric was passionate and an organization run by a close friend (detroitdogrescue.com).  Arrangements are under the direction of J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Adrian, MI.  www.PurseFuneralHome.com