Eugen (Gene) Otto Bergman, 78, passed away peacefully at a hospital in Salt Lake City, UT with his wife and family members at his side on August 9, 2012.

Gene was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend. He was born in Dortmund, Germany on June 23, 1934 to Otto and Grete Domanski Bergmann. In 1956, he migrated to Utah, where he was later joined by his fiancee, the late Kaethe Elisabeth Margot Schrader Bergmann. They were married on August 31, 1956. Kaethe passed away on May 22, 2008. Gene later married Brenda Bostwick Bergmann on March 26, 2011 in St. George, UT.

His initial schooling was in Germany where he later attended the Maschinen-Bauschule Satzgitter and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He spent most of his working life in a distinguished career as a water treatment engineer. He had patents related to many things, from snowmobiles to water waste treatment plants, and even at 78 he still had a few more patents that he was hoping to file.

After migrating to America, he served in the U.S. Army. He loved America and the principles that it was founded on. He would often express this love when speaking to family members and friends.

Gene was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various capacities including temple worker, district president, mission presidency, high councilor, bishop, high priest group leader, elders quorum president, teacher, and home teacher.

Affectionately known as "Opa" to his family, he was always interested in what everyone was doing. He always had a word of advice and would take time to write letters to express his desire, council, and love. He retained his distinguished German accent all his years and loved his family's heritage.

He loved the Savior Jesus Christ and his teachings and believed that if you put Him first that the right things would be a part of your life. His life exemplified the Master's teachings with his family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. We will miss you, Opa.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Kaethe Elisabeth Margot Schrader Bergmann. He is survived by their children: Eugene (Karen) Daniel Bergmann of Provo, UT, Clifford Erwin Bergmann of McMurray, PA, Irene (Ralph) Phillips of Syracuse, NY, and Leslie Ann (Scott) Saffin of York, PA.

He is also survived by his wife, Brenda Bostwick Bergmann; and her children, Margo (Rio) Lister, Bradley (Elka) Bostwick, Jeremy (Olivia) Bostwick, Brooke (Adam) Andelin, Megan (Jeremy) Larkin, Anna (Michael) Anderson, and by two brothers, Herbert (Edith) Bergmann of Provo, UT and Ulrich (Christine) Bergmann of Salzgitter, Germany.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at the Morningside LDS Stake Center, 881 South River Road, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Saturday, prior to services, at 10:00 a.m at the Stake Center. He will be laid to rest on Monday, August 20, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at the East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery in Provo, Utah. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund http://pef.lds.org/pef/inmemoriam.