Robert L. Bergen

"Robert L. Bergen, Jr. died at home in South Hadley, Massachusetts on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 with his family at his side. Born in Bayshore, New York on October 29, 1929, he was the son of Robert and Alice Bergen. Bob was a Cum Laude graduate of Williams College and a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1955. As a material scientist for Uniroyal, headquartered in Middlebury, CT, he obtained many patents for the company. Later, Bob became the Director of Research and Development at Uniroyal. His biography is in the Who's Who of America. During his 30-year residence in Bethany, CT, Bob took a leadership role in church and community. He also taught math and started the chemistry department at the University of New Haven. Six years ago, he and his wife moved to Loomis Village in South Hadley, where Bob took an active role in the financial committee. Bob will be missed by his wife of 59 years, Betsy (Field), along with their four children, Beryl Field Bergen and her husband Henry Field of Framingham, MA; Alice Muh and her husband Robert of Littleton, NH; Robert Bergen III and his wife Francine of Bethany, CT; and Jennifer Bergen and her husband Bill Richardson of Cairo, Egypt. Bob is also survived by his six grandchildren: Brian, Christopher, Rebecca, Stephen, Robert IV, and Kevin, along with four great-grandchildren: Jonas, Colin, Nora, and Abigail. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Frederick Bergen and his wife Margaret Ann and their four children. A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Saturday, January 29 at 11:30 a.m. at Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St. (Rte. 116). The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the following: The American Red Cross, Holyoke Hospital or Stony Brook Community Church in South Hadley. Please visit www.beersandstory.com to sign the online guestbook and express condolences."