Legacy Left by Charles J. Berkel Tracy Brettmann, vice president, Berkel & Company Contractors The deep foundations industry marked the end of an era with the passing of Charlie Berkel on November 4, 2013, but was left with an enduring legacy through his one- million dollar donation for scholarships to the DFI Educational Trust. Mr. Berkel was a charter member of DFI and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2007. The Berkel scholarship program was estab- lished in 2008 and provides $50,000 annually to students majoring in civil engi- neering and construction management who are interested in pursuing a career in the deep foundations industry. Since its incep- tion, the program has already provided $286,000 in scholarships to 41 students. The DFI Educational Trust is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2006 by DFI as its charitable arm. The mission of the Trust is to support and encourage individuals in the fields of study related to the deep foundations industry by providing scholarships and opportunities to meet and work with deep foundations industry leaders. This mission resonated with Mr. Berkel as he read about its establishment in Deep Foundations magazine, and he felt privileged to give back to the industry that meant so much to him. He always felt it was his college education at the University of Illinois that provided him the basis for his career achievements, and he wanted to be able to help future generations see those same opportunities. When Mr. Berkel made the donation to the Trust he modestly named the scholar- ship program after his company rather than himself. With his passing the scholarship program will be more appropriately re- named after the man himself as the Charles J. Berkel Memorial Scholarship Program. Anyone wishing to pay their respects to Mr. Berkel and further his vision of assisting future generations with college is encouraged to donate to the Charles J. Berkel Memorial Scholarship Program. In the twilight of his career Charlie Berkel made a bold decision to dramatically support a newly established charitable arm of DFI. Several other outstanding scholarship programs have since been established through the Educational Trust following in his footsteps. There is a twilight at the end of the day that precedes nightfall, and the remarkable life of Charlie Berkel has finally reached that end. But fittingly there is another twilight at dawn that beckons the future and tributes the legacy of Mr. Berkel and his determination to support higher education and impact future generations. We are honored that Charlie Berkel left his footprints within our organization and look forward to continuing his legacy. A Tribute from Scholarship A Message from David Coleman, chair of the DFI Educational Trust I had the privilege of meeting Charles Berkel on several occasions and was always impressed by the genuine manner in which he projected himself. He will forever be remembered as a great benefactor of the DFI Educational Trust. In 2008, he had enough faith in our mission and leadership to have his company, Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc., make a one-million dollar donation to the Trust to establish the Berkel & Company Cont ractors Scholarship Fund. Since its creation, this fund has awarded $286,000 in scholarships to 41 engineering students at University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, University of California at Berkeley, Auburn University, Carnegie Mellon University, and University of Houston. All of us at the DFI Educational Trust Board are thankful for his wisdom and foresight and for his generous efforts to further the mission of the Trust. Recipient, Nathaniel Wagner As a recipient of the Berkel & Company Contractors Scholarship in 2009, 2010 and 2011 awarded through the Deep Foun- dations Institute Educational Trust, I am truly indebted to Charles Berkel. Receiving this generous scholarship relieved the financial burden of a university education, enabling me to pursue a greater depth and breadth of coursework and participate in extracurricular activities. Utilizing these opportunities, I had the privilege to serve on the leadership committees for both the DFI Student Chapter at Berkeley and the University of California Marching Band; this would not have been possible without the financial support from the Berkel Scholarship. Through these opportunities I have gained valuable leadership experience and developed a diverse skill set that helped me to gain admission into graduate school at UC Berkeley in the geotechnical engi- neering department. I am confident that these experiences will help me in my future endeavors, as well. Upon completion of my doctoral program, I plan on supporting and contributing to the next generation of civil engineers with financial support during their training, mentoring throughout their careers, and leadership in professional societies. I feel that these acts of “paying it forward,” much in the style of Charles Berkel, will be the best way to honor his legacy. 44 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • JAN/FEB 2014
