Michel Berta

Michel Berta
Feb 11,1947 – Mar 18, 2025
Winston Salem, NC

Michel Berta was born on Feb 11, 1947 in Courbevoie, France, a suburb of Paris, to Victor Berta from Northern Italy and Constantina Nicoli from Greece. He was the outcome of a happy reunion after his father had been in a prisoner-of-war labor camp in Austria from 1939-1945, having fought for the French army during WW2 and being taken captive while defending France. Michel had one brother, Jacques, who was 14 years older than him.

Michel spent his childhood summers in Lorraine, France and at camp in the Alps and the south of France in Limonest and Annecy. These summers were happy memories that he never forgot. In 1964, at 17 years old, Michel joined the French Navy, serving until 1967 on the S/M Narval submarine, the Jeanne d’Arc helicopter carrier, and the Chevalier Paul destroyer. His duties included serving as Valet to the Admiral-in-Chief, the Commander of the Atlantic French Fleet. The following year (1967-1968) he spent in Washington DC working as a Valet at the French Embassy. From 1968-1971 he moved around quite a bit from Toulouse, France where he owned an antiques business, to Paris where he worked in the dining car of luxury sleeper trains operated by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-lits. He also worked at the Central Bank of France and as a Steward for the Government of Iran and the Royal Family of Iran. In 1971, Michel moved to the United States, first to Sea Cliff, Long Island, NY, where some of his father’s cousins had settled.

Raised as a Christian Scientist, after his grandmother had been introduced to the religion when stuck in the U.S. after visiting the Sea Cliff cousins during WW2, Michel moved to Princeton, NJ  to work at Tenacre, a Christian Science care facility. There he met Ann Louise Weber, a fellow Christian Science nurse. They were married in New York City on Sept 30, 1972 and had their only child on Nov 4, 1973. During their 5 year marriage, they moved around quite a bit, including Paris, New York, San Francisco, and Boston. In 1977, while living in Boston, Ann and Michel were divorced.

Michel remained in Boston near his daughter while continuing his education. In 1980, at 30 years old, he received his B.A. (summa cum laude) from University of Massachusetts, followed by his M.A. (Phi Sigma Iota) from Boston University. In 1982 Michel moved to Kingston, Ontario, Canada where he earned his Ph.D. in 1985 from Queens University in 19th Century French Literature (Naturalism and Emile Zola). He also studied Protestant theology at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes at the Sorbonne and Art History at the Ecole du Louvre.

From 1985-1988 he worked as a French teacher at Fieldstone Academy in New York City. From 1988-1995 he was a French Professor at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, followed by Alaska Pacific University. From 1995-2013 he was a French Professor at the University of North Carolina, School of the Arts. He retired in 2013 after suffering from a heart attack.

Dr. Michel Berta was an exceptional scholar. His extensive research took him to conferences from Australia to Brazil. He published over 36 books throughout his career. He earned the status of Emeritus at the end of this teaching career.

Awards included: Prix de la Ville de Colombes, 1963, in painting; Prix Santiago Vilas, 1983, for best essay of the year written in a romance language in an American University; Merit Award for Outstanding Research at Alaska Pacific University, 1993-1994; and a UNCSA Excellence in Teaching award, 2000.

In 1991 he shared this with his daughter:
“I knew that I was different, that I would do something extraordinary in life. Every day is now more satisfying, productive and the object of intense pleasure. Teaching gives me a wonderful occasion to share my positive feelings with others.”

Michel was a passionate, highly energetic, engaged person in every way. He had an intense desire to learn and a voracious curiosity about literature, history, theology, and culture: music, dance, opera, performing and visual arts. He loved good cuisine and cooking. He made an amazing homemade mayonnaise; the act of making it was a performance not to be missed! His talent in the kitchen was the “pièce de résistance” at any meal to which he contributed. He especially adored oysters, clams and mussels and ate them any chance he got with no limits. He was a child in a candy shop in any rare books store. He loved classical music, but it must be playing at high volume! He was also an accomplished artist and produced many paintings, particularly during his retirement. His laughter was infectious. He commanded a room with his stories and knowledge. He was the life of every party.

Michel is survived by his daughter Chloe Berta Caviness (Doug) of San Rafael, CA and three grandchildren, Mia (21), Luca (20) and Gianna (14) who knew him as “Papou”. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Jacques.

There will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trellis Supportive Care in Winston Salem, NC, and Regina’s Hospitality Services in Winston Salem, NC. The staff that took care of him in the last months of his life were patient, selfless, loving angels!

Dr. Michel Berta was loved by many and will be missed dearly. He lived by the motto: Post Tenebras Lux (After darkness, light). May he rest in peace.

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