RAPID CITY- Dr. Dale A. Bergeron died on March 18th from diabetic complications, peacefully at home without fear or pain, simply not waking from his final sleep. Dr. Bergeron was known to many in Rapid City and the surrounding area due to his long career as a physician and healer of the highest caliber. He cared deeply about his patients and work, staying current with new medical practices and research throughout his long career (and even after he retired). He was widely acknowledged by both his patients and peers as an outstanding physician. Dr. Bergeron is survived by a large family and many close friends, and he will be missed greatly. The eldest of four, Dale was born to Lester and Florence Bergeron in 1929 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Gerald (Jerry) (deceased), next James (Jimmy), and youngest Dennis, both survive him. Dale has four children, who are dispersed throughout North America; Camilla L. Spackman, followed by Dale B. Bergeron (Brad), Nanette G. Jones (Gigi), and Sarah Horton. Dale has thirteen Grandchildren, and thirty-one Great Grandchildren. Of his close friends and partners, Lois Cersosimo was the closest in the last quarter of his life, and was a loving friend and companion until the end. Dale grew up in Minnesota and graduated from Cass Lake High in 1947, he received a B.A. from Bemidji State College in 1951, and a B.S. and M.D. at the University of Minnesota in 1955. Dale was Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nuclear Medicine, with sub-specialties in Gastroenterology and Hematology. Finishing school he worked in Presidio Hospital, San Francisco, Chief of Aviation Medicine at Pensacola FL, USMA Army Hospital at West Point, NY, and then into private practice in Le Sueur, MN. Shortly he decided to get more education and went back into military service at the USPHS Hospital in San Francisco. He left the military and moved to Rapid City, SD, in 1970 to join the Rapid City Medical Center, and practiced both Internal and Nuclear Medicine, eventually opening his own practice. After 39 years in medicine, Dale retired in 1994. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the South Dakota State Medical Society. One of the main reasons Dale moved to South Dakota to practice medicine was his love for hunting and being in the outdoors. He grew up hunting and fishing with his brothers and friends in Northern MN and that passion for wild places and open spaces grew throughout his life. Dale was quick to share that passion with his friends, introducing many to the arts of hunting and marksmanship. He was happiest out in the woods or on the plains, loved to talk about firearms (especially classic Winchesters) and he and his dogs could out-walk most others in a day of hunting. Dale also loved good classical music (his favorites were Bach, Beethoven, and Handel). Another interest was Duplicate Bridge where he spent many fun hours with friends and was a Silver Life Master. Dale wouldn't be caught dead at a traditional funeral, so we are having a Celebration of Life to remember him and all the good times on Saturday May 9, at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn in the Board Room from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The family requests no flowers, instead they request a contribution in Dale's name to Black Hills Works or charity of your choice.