Bergman, Richard Carl (1942-1967)

BERGMAN, HALLMAN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 1/14/2015 at 11:56:42

Daily Freeman Journal, Monday, October 23, 1967

Webster City Driver Fatally Injured Sunday

R. C. Bergman Is Victim in 1-Car Mishap

Richard C. Bergman, 24, Webster City, was fatally injured early Sunday morning when his car plunged into a ditch three miles west of Webster City on Highway 20 and crashed head-on into a concrete culvert.

Sheriff E. R. Lear, who investigated the tragedy, said the accident occurred between 3:30 and 4 a.m. as Bergman, traveling alone, was apparently heading back toward Webster City.

The car appeared to have left the highway at a high rate of speed, plunged into the ditch, where it traveled a considerable distance, and then smashed into the culvert.

Some passing teen-agers reportedly discovered the accident and pulled Bergman from the auto which caught fire in the engine compartment. Webster City police, the fire department and the rescue truck were called to the scene, and the driver was taken to the Hamilton County hospital, being admitted about 4:40 a.m.

Bergman died at 8:53 a.m., according to Hamilton County hospital records.

Sheriff Lear said there was no indication of what had caused the accident. The car was demolished by the impact.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Stratford Lutheran church with the Rev. Robert Carlson officiating and with burial in Oakwood cemetery at Stratford. Hanson Funeral home will have charge of the service.

Mr. Bergman is survived by two sons, Rickie Dean Bergman and Rodney Carl Bergman of Woolstock; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Bergman of Stratford; one brother, Ronald Bergman of Dayton; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bergman of Stratford and Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hallman of Stratford.

He attended the Stratford schools and was a member of the Stratford Lutheran church.

He was employed as a mechanic at the Hight Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Co. at Webster City.