Obituary of Thomas Edward DeBerg

Thomas E. DeBerg, 80, of St. Petersburg passed away Sunday April 2, 2023.  "Tom" was born June 23, 1942.  He is survived by his wife, Albina DeBerg; children Benjo DeBerg, Allison Young, Dana Ellis and Benjamin DeBerg; brother William DeBerg and seven grandchildren; Corbin, Richard, Christina, Ethan, Olivia Alan and Thomas.  He is predeceased by his sister, Evelyn Lichtneger and parents, Jasper DeBerg and Alice DeBerg.  Tom ran track at Grinnell College where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology.  He earned Master's degrees in Counseling and Social Work at the University of Wisconsin.  In 1983 Tom graduated Cum Laude from Stetson Law school.  He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Army Security Agency, then abroad as a Russian linguist.  Tom worked as a house parent and as a therapist for troubled youths while living in Madison, Wisconsin and Neillsville,  Wisconsin.  He was a medical social worker in St. Petersburg prior to law school.  Tom was a prosecutor for the Florida Bar from 1986 - 2003.  He continued his legal career with the Solomon Tropp Law Group, retiring in 2008.  Tom was known to be a hard worker and never sat still.  He coached little league, volunteered with the City discrimination review board, taught Paralegal Studies and published Divorce Florida Style in 2016.  At 80, Tom was on the roof of his home, with a chainsaw, cutting tree limbs and loading them into a truck.  Tom enjoyed fishing and golfing and time at the casino with his wife and friends.  Tom was never shy with his political views; the family would try to guess how many minutes into any conversation Tom would wait before interjecting politics.  Nothing though meant more to him than family.  He was a compassionate, empathetic listener, always willing to listen.  Always willing to advise.  A small family viewing was held on April 7th.