Bert died September 16, 2008 following a battle with esophageal cancer. He was born in Delta, Utah, on April 24, 1943, and grew up in Middleton, WI. He graduated from Middleton High School in 1961.

Bert received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Master's from Utah State University. He was a member of the football, hockey and rugby teams at UW and served in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Bert joined Campbell Scientific Inc. in 1978 to begin his 30-year career as Vice President of Marketing and Customer Service. He had a sincere interest in the careers of young scientists and a keen eye for talent at its early stages. Scores of the best environmental scientists worldwide acknowledge his influence on their careers. Bert jumped at Missoula 1968, 72-75 and 1977 and was an NSA member.