RICHARD (BUZZ) BERGEN

Rich (Buzz) Bergen brings a deep background in finance, music, and charitable giving to Theatre Within’s Board. He recently retired after a decades-long career in financial planning, during which he advised clients on taxes, retirement, investments, and estate matters. As a longtime board member of the Financial Planning Association’s Long Island Chapter, Buzz helped launch their Pro Bono Program, offering financial guidance to underserved members of the community.

Deeply committed to service, Buzz volunteers with The Interfaith Nutrition Network (The INN)-serving on its golf committee and, with his wife Debbie, entertaining  at their fundraising events and soup kitchen. He also volunteers at the North Shore Animal League and co-manages the Bergen Family Charitable Fund, which aids nonprofits including WhyHunger, Médecins Sans Frontières, the USO, and Theatre Within.

Buzz and Debbie have been married for 45 years and have two wonderful children-Lindsay and Andrew.  A lifelong (and often suffering!) Mets' fan, he’s also a passionate saxophonist. His musical inspirations include the Beatles, Stones, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Coltrane, and Michael Brecker—just to name a few. His latest diversion is dabbling as a background actor on TV and movie productions.

Buzz is honored to support Theatre Within’s mission to nurture creativity and connection through workshops, performances, and community programs that honor John Lennon’s enduring message of peace and self-expression