John Milner Bergesen Sr. ’54
John Milner Bergesen Sr. ’54 passed away in Aurora, Illinois, on April 3, 2021. He was born in Vallejo, California, and came to Dartmouth as a Navy ROTC scholar following graduation from Brighton High in suburban Rochester, New York. In high school he was active in dramatics, skiing, soccer, and swimming. At Dartmouth John majored in international relations, participated in the International Relations Club, played soccer, served on ski patrol, and was part of the Council on Student Organizations men’s skiing. After Dartmouth he served his military obligation in the Navy and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He was employed by Linton Industries early and for about 10 years worked for the State of Illinois recovering back taxes. He lived in Greece for a couple years. He was a member of the Naperville (Illinois) Evening Kiwanis Club and active at Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville. One of his stepsons-in-law describes him as “a good man and a faithful servant.” John was predeceased by his first wife, Flora, and both of his elder brothers. He is survived by wife Merle, daughter Ruth, son John Jr., three stepdaughters, and five stepgrandchildren.
