Ralph Berg, Jr. was born in Great Falls on October 18th, 1940. While he was growing up, he acquired the nickname "Tuffy" after several bouts with his sisters and cousins, and the name stayed with him throughout his life. He attended local schools, working as a teen for Great Falls Sporting Goods, and graduated in 1958. Though his experiences growing up were focused on the outdoors rather than art, they prepared him well for his later creative works.

After service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he worked for many years as a hunting guide and taxidermist, eventually opening the Montana Taxidermy Shop in Great Falls. Aside from the outdoors and wildlife, his other avid interest was "that damn'd ol' rodeo." He loved to challenge the broncs, but was injured several times.

While convalescing after a particularly bad injury from a rodeo in Belt, he discovered the work of a local artist, Earle Heikka [see AskART], and was hooked. He began sculpting in 1972 as a hobby, and became a fixture at the annual C.M. Russell Auction of Original Western Art, receiving five People's Choice Awards over the years. When he was commissioned by The Franklin Mint and Royal Cornwall Ltd. for several commemorative works, his work received national recognition.

Unfortunately, his career and his life were all too short; he died from cancer at the age of 50 on March 15, 1991. His funeral was held at the C.M. Russell Museum, an unprecedented event, and was widely attended by friends, family, and members of the art community.

Despite his untimely death, Tuffy's tradition lives on thanks to the efforts of his widow, Joyce, who was instrumental in establishing the Ralph "Tuffy" Berg Award, which recognizes new, up-and-coming artists at the C.M. Russell Auction of Original Western Art each year.

Submitted to askART by M.D. Silverbrooke

Source:
BOI's of New Hope Art Gallery - boisofnewhope@verizon.net