The Heritagefest executive director for 27 years, Leo H. “Buddy” Berg Jr., 89, died Dec. 6 at Oak Hills Living Center. Visitation is 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 11 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home. A celebration of life is set for 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Turner Hall.

A good friend of Berg’s, fellow Concord Singer and former Brown County Commissioner Dick Seeboth described his impact on the New Ulm community.

“He’s the best example of a mover and shaker that I’ll ever know. He fully believed community festivals brought the community together and could do a lot for tourism. He co-founded Heritagefest. He had a terrific influence on the Concord Singers that changed their repertoire from American choral music to German music,” said Seeboth.

“He got on the phone and worked. He managed the Concord Singers during our growth in popularity. We were exceptionally busy from the late 70s to the 90s, doing 120 shows a year,” Seeboth said.

Leo H. Berg Jr.

“We had a special friendship for decades. Sharon and I and Leo and his wife Claire took weekend trips to Wisconsin and vacationed together,” he said.

Bockfest Boys musician Scott Sparlin fondly remembered Berg.

“We laughed a lot through the years. Leo was always very professional and deeply committed to the Concord Singers. He was highly thought of for his management skills and he sang quite well,” said Sparlin.

Concord Singer Wayne Schoper said Berg was a great leader.

“We always followed his direction. We had a code of behavior and kept our uniforms meticulously. Leo was big on that,” said Schoper.

Berg was featured in the Lifestyle page of the July 16, 2001 edition of The Journal. The story centered on his 27 years as Heritagefest executive director.

“It’s time. I don’t believe that in the history of festivals in Minnesota that the same person has headed a festival for 27 years. If there has been someone, I’d sure like to meet him,” said Berg.

“If it weren’t for Leo, there would be no Heritagefest,” said Heritagefest President Hugh Nierengarten. He cited Berg’s knowledge of talent as a key factor in recruiting European entertainment.

“Leo has a good eye for talent,” said Nierengarten. “He and the early members of the organization were the key elements in bringing truly talented entertainment from Europe. It was a true stroke of genius.”

Berg was also named a New Ulm Chamber of Commerce Tourism Person of the Year. He served New Ulm City Council, New Ulm Park & Recreation Commission, Sister Cities Commission, Rotary, the Minnesota Department of Tourism Advisory Committee and the University of Minnesota Tourism Center Advisory Board, among other positions.

He was honored by the Minnesota Festivals & Events Association in 2016 for his contributions to the festival and event industry and helping start the organization three decades earlier.

“Festivals put life back into the community,” said Berg who sought out other Minnesota festival organizers to share ideas and resources.

His daughter Liz Cooper of New Ulm said Leo owned a New Ulm printing business, retired, then worked full-time as Heritagefest executive director.

“He valued New Ulm and its heritage, wanted people to visit New Ulm and put it on the map. He was busy lining up Heritagefest entertainment and finding places for them to stay. He loved music and was a good singer. He was a go-getter. He was a big family man, loved his kids, was a good grandpa, loved people and loved a party,” said Cooper.

Patty Osborne, also a daughter of Leo Berg, put it succinctly.

“He was just a great man. We are very proud of him,” she said.

“You could see how proud he was of what happened in New Ulm at Heritagefest. My dad and his father Leo Sr. certainly loved the Concord Singers and sang with them. My dad sang with the Concord Singers for 55 years,” said Osborne.