HIGHLAND — Hundreds of family and friends gathered on Saturday to celebrate the life of one of Utah County’s most prominent residents.

Nationally reknown mo-tivational speaker and author Art Berg passed away on Feb. 19 as the result of an apparent reaction to medication. He was 39 years old.

Berg’s death was especially tragic in that he leaves behind his wife, Dallas Howard Berg, and three children, ages 11, 7 and three months.

Berg was left a quadriplegic following a car accident at age 21, five weeks before his scheduled wedding to Dallas.

One and a half years later, on June 18, 1985, the couple was married.

“He told me on more than one occasion how much he loved Dallas,” said LDS Stake President Joel Zabriskie. “I treasure those visits.

“We celebrate the life of a good man. His passing reminds us of how fragile life is.”

Berg’s parents, Dave and Betty Berg, gave a sketch of his early life. Berg’s mother-in-law, Rae Howard, spoke of his family and professional life.

A speaker in demand across the nation, Berg traveled more than 200,000 miles a year giving motivational speeches to such companies as Coca Cola and AT&T.

Berg was given a Super Bowl ring by the Baltimore Ravens as a thank-you for his role in motivating the team leading up to their Super Bowl win in Jan. 2001.

The author of several inspirational books and videos, Berg was a reluctant writer. He and his wife wrote a book about their experiences for their children and were only persuaded by family and friends to publish it.

The book became a regional best-seller, “Some Miracles Take Time,” and will be released nationally this summer by Harper-Collins.

Also a nationally recognized athlete, Berg set a world record by becoming the first quadriplegic to complete an ultra marathon of 325 miles. He also enjoyed full-contact wheelchair rugby, a theme that was reiterated at his funeral.

“I look forward to the day when I will see Art in his resurrected body,” Zabriskie said. “I wonder if I will recognize him standing so straight and tall.

“I wonder if there is rugby in the next life. I’m not sure I want to play rugby against Art. I’d rather be on his team. Can you imagine Art playing rugby on two good legsfi”

For more information on Art Berg’s books and videos, visit www.artberg.com.

Caleb Warnock can be reached at 344-2534 or cwarnock@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.