Longtime Brewers Groundskeeper Gary Vanden Berg Passes Away

Yesterday,  we were saddened by the news that Gary Vanden Berg, a member of our Milwaukee Brewers family for more than 30 years, passed away Monday night after battling a long-term illness.

Gary began his career with the Brewers in 1981 as the Assistant Superintendent of Grounds but served more than 20 years as the Club’s Director of Grounds. He was one of the five longest-tenured members of our Club, and he led a team that won multiple awards for excellence in their field of work. He was 59.

“Gary was one of the most loved individuals in this organization, and this is a tremendous loss for everyone connected to the Milwaukee Brewers,” said Brewers Chairman and Principal Owner Mark Attanasio. “Gary was one of the most dedicated and positive persons that we will ever know. We were fortunate to have Gary as a member of the Brewers family, and we all feel a tremendous sense of sadness today. Our prayers are with the Vanden Berg family and all of those who loved him.”

Gary Vanden Berg, pictured here in November 2009, will be greatly missed by the Brewers family.

Cait had the pleasure of  spending a morning with Gary for one of our first blog posts ever, back in November of 2009 for her first  “There is No Offseason for…” feature. From the story–and from anyone who has ever spent any time with Gary–it is clear that he was a person for whom his work was not just a job but his passion–and he was the best at what he did. Click here to read it.

Gary is survived by his wife, Lauri, and twin sons, John and Joel. A native of Fond du lac, he resided with his family in Cedarburg, Wis.

The Brewers will honor Vanden Berg’s memory by wearing a special “GV” uniform patch for the duration of the Postseason. Services and memorial arrangements are pending.

-John and Cait

johnandcait@brewers.com