Obituary of Robert John Berghel, Jr.

Robert John Berghel, Jr. Robert John Berghel, Jr., 61, of Chattanooga, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 22, 2020. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 17, 1958, and has resided in Chattanooga since 2004. Robert was the son of Mary Louise Berghel, Clarkesville, Georgia, and the late Robert John Berghel. He was a member of The Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain, and served many years as an usher. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Victoria Smouse Berghel, and children Brett Fraley Berghel Cutshall (Chris), Greenville, SC, Claire Berghel Mickey (Evan), Bloomington, IN, Robert John Berghel, III (Susan), and Paige Helen Berghel, both of Chattanooga. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Margaret Anne Mickey, Catherine Louise Mickey, Kathryn Anne Cutshall, James Robert Cutshall, Paul Fraley Cutshall, and Annika Sofia Berghel. Robert is also survived by his mother, Mary Louise Berghel, and siblings William Wesley Berghel (Jill), Memphis, TN, Mary Lucinda vonWaldner (Michael), Sarasota, FL, and Susan Jane Sukstorf (Perry), Olathe, KS, and many nieces and nephews. Robert graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1980, with an undergraduate degree in French, later completed his BS in Accounting, and earned his MBA in finance from George Washington University in 1983. In Baltimore, Robert worked as a conservator for the State of Maryland after the savings and loan crisis and for James F. Knott Realty Group; in Chicago, he worked for Cushman & Wakefield; and, in Chattanooga, he managed his own commercial real estate brokerage firm, Broad Street Partners. He was well-known for his infectious laugh, “Dad jokes,” beautiful singing voice, wide-ranging knowledge of many topics, language skills, cooking skills, and love of home and other “projects.” Robb loved his family, golf, yoga, talking, travel, dancing, and European history. He enjoyed gardening and would often donate excess vegetables to the Community Kitchen, where he was known as “zucchini man.” He was unique and always curious. From the age of 10, he attended a summer family week church camp in Linville, NC, Camp Linn Haven, where he was known for his fierce competitiveness in team sports and leading countless hikes up Grandfather Mountain. For many years he was active in and chaired the planning of the annual King Oemig Golf Tournament, benefitting Metropolitan Ministries. Services will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 211 Franklin Road, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, with visitation at 3 pm and the funeral service at 4pm. The Rev. Robert T.J. Childers will officiate. Internment at Forest Hills Cemetery will be Friday, February 28, 2020, at 1pm. The family suggests donations in Robert’s memory may be made to Metropolitan Ministries of Chattanooga, met-min.org or another charitable organization that helps Chattanoogans in need. Arrangements by Wann Funeral Home, 4000 Tennessee Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37409, (423) 821-7551. Please share your memories, photos and stories to www.wannfuneralhome.com