Andrew Berner, 69, died at his home in South Laguna on Dec. 2, after a brief battle with lung cancer.
Berner was born in Los Angeles in 1945 and attended Loyola High School. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco and a master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Claremont Graduate School.
A licensed psychologist in private practice until 2012, Berner was an expert in the treatment of alcoholism and drug dependency. He formerly served as director of clinical services for the National Council on Alcoholism of Orange County, consultant to Hoag Memorial Hospital’s Chemical Dependency Center, clinical preceptor at the Substance Abuse Counseling Center at the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, and on the adjunct faculties of CSU Fullerton and UC Irvine. An inspirational educator and mentor, he fostered the development of a local program for families coping with addiction problems and recently served as a teacher and meditation guide at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Laguna Beach.
Berner was predeceased by his parents, Andrew Sr., and Grace Berner; his brother Brian; and his beloved partner, Marvin Haberman. He leaves an extensive network of devoted friends who have planned a memorial gathering at Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Dr., on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 2 pm.
Memorial donations may be made to two of Andrew’s favorite charities: the Aids Services Foundation of Orange County <http://www.ocasf.org/> or the Friendship Shelter of Laguna Beach <http://friendshipshelter.org/>.
