Henry Bergman Memorial in Santa Barbara, Saturday, Nov. 21, 1:30pm
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A beach icon, Henry Bergman won nearly half of the tournaments he
entered.
Henry Bergman, a physical phenomenon known to dominate Santa Barbara
beaches
before the likes of Karch Kiraly and Todd Rogers, will be remembered
by friends
and admirers later this month. At 65 years old, Bergman passed away
Oct. 5,
ending the life of a legend.
Bergman stood out as a star in the volleyball world during a playing
career
spanning 1965-1973. An icon in the era before the sport offered
professional
competition (the first commercially sponsored beach tournament
occurred in
1974), he never attained the fame and fortune athletes of similar
skill have
since come to know. Although Bergman's career winnings total $0, he
belongs in
the top echelon of the all-time greats.
Known for booming hits that petrified opponents, "Big Henry" won 15 of
the 33
Open tournaments he entered. Also known as "Mr. Automatic", Bergman
was just
that in 1970, when he won six of his seven events. Bergman won seven
titles
apiece with Larry Rundle and Ron Von Hagen. He also won with Ron Lang.
Of the 18 events he didn't win, Bergman finished second eight times.
He never
failed to finish in the top five of a tournament.
Rundle and many other contemporaries from Santa Barbara High School,
the beach,
and all walks of life will gather to share memories on Saturday, Nov.
21.
The memorial service will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Cafe del Sol,
located at 30 Los
Patos Way in Santa Barbara. Everyone is invited to attend.
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