Raymond Carl Bergen

Ray passed away at home as he wished, with family and friends there to love and care for him, including his wife Sandy. He had been fighting a courageous battle for a number of years against a degenerative disease, without complaint. He had a sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye, and those qualities remained during this time. He had a knack for the spontaneous. He loved the adventure a car brought. As a teenager he had drag races on Pacific Avenue. He took International Scholars from UCSC for driving lessons to San Francisco and Sandy on tarantula hunts (for classroom displays) near Coalinga. He believed in doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do---even if it costs time or money, may be more difficult and stressful, or not even noticed, and he believed that integrity is doing the same good in private when nobody else will know, as in public in the full view of your peers. Ray was born in Shafter, CA, to Menno and Susanne Bergen. He lived in Wasco until the family moved to Santa Cruz in 1944 at the suggestion of family friend Roy Kraft, pastor of Twin Lakes Baptist Church, who came from the Wasco area. Ray attended Branciforte Junior High School and Santa Cruz High School where he made a number of life-long friends. At the Twin Lakes Church youth group he met Elsie "Sandy" Johnson in 1945, and they dated for five years until they were married in 1950. Both Ray and Sandy graduated from Biola College and moved to Portland, Oregon, where Ray spent two years studying at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary. They then moved to Massachusetts where Ray attended Gordon Divinity School and Brandeis University. He received his Master of Theology from Gordon. While there he had the opportunity to take a class at Harvard in Biblical Archeology and to work nights at the school's Semitic Museum, which led to a continued interest in that field. They returned from Massachusetts to Santa Cruz with three children in 1957. Three more children were born in Santa Cruz. Ray was employed in the construction industry before starting Sea-Berg Metal Fabricators, Armetco, and Bergen-Born and Associates. He had an eye for design and was a skilled craftsman, as is evidenced by several metal sculptures and numerous other architectural metal installations seen around the Bay Area. Later he purchased Garrett Moulding Company, and then went on to work in Texas in the oil business in the late 1980's through early 1990's. In his early years, Ray enjoyed restoring old cars, and owned several hot rods. He also enjoyed auto races. In high school, he participated in football and track. As an adult, he enjoyed sailing. Ray came to know and love his Lord Jesus Christ at a young age, and throughout his life found many ways to serve God. He was involved in ministries of the local church wherever he lived, and was one of several in the community who arranged for Young Life to come to Santa Cruz. He befriended many international students who attended UCSC and Cabrillo. Beginning in the early 1980s, he helped to provide micro-loans for poor people in Asia to start small businesses. In 1961, Ray and a few friends started University Baptist Church (now High Street Community Church). The church was an integral part of his life and that of his family. The family has been blessed by members of that congregation who have followed Jesus' words to "love one another." Ray himself often modeled that same love. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Menno and Susie Bergen, and his siblings: Bill Bergen (Carol) and Adina Bernreuter (Don). His brother-in-law, Bob Johnson, also preceded him.His wife Sandy, and their six children survive Ray: Karen Lindsey (Cliff), Linda McCann (Bob), Jim Bergen, Deanna Wills (Paul), Tom Bergen (Debbie), and Cori Burt (Jeff). They have thirteen grandchildren: Amber Goldapple (David), Hunter Lindsey (Jacqueline), Micah Lindsey (Kate), April Clarke (Steve), Austin McCann (La Toyia), Collin McCann, Brad Wills, Graham Wills, Leah Wills, Abbi Bergen, Rose Tawy (Mohamed), Nick Burt, and Linnaea Meyer (Colin). Their great grandchildren are: Zander, Ava, Zane, Ziana, Everly, Alyx, Josiah, Jude, Isla, Cali, Amaiyah, Sumio, Joelle , Zoe, and Emma.Ray has two surviving sisters: Mitzi Shinen (Dave) and Dottie Ciampa (George). He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Gerry Johnson, and many other extended family members. Ray and his family have been especially appreciative of the daily care and loving support provided by family friend, Mark Major. His gentle and kind spirit has been an inspiration to them all. A memorial service will be held at High Street Community Church, 850 High Street, Santa Cruz, on Saturday, June 27, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to High Street Community Church to support missions and youth ministries.