Carl Bergkvist

Carl Ivar Bergkvist died at his home in Orleans on March 29, 2016. Mr. Bergkvist was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 9, 1926. He was the only child of Carl Waldemar Bergkvist and Selma Sellin Bergkvist. Selma died in 1928, and Mr. Bergkvist was then raised in Springfield, Illinois by his father and his step-mother, Evalyn Ferreira Bergkvist. He enjoyed his childhood in Springfield and attended public school, serving as Senior Class President. During High School he also interned as a page in the Illinois State House of Representatives. Upon graduation, Mr. Bergkvist joined the United States Navy and participated in the V-12 program. He attended Tufts University, graduating in 1947 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. From 1948 to 1949, then Ensign Bergkvist was stationed in Grondal, Greenland. At a New Year's Eve dance on the Naval Base, Carl was lucky enough to meet Else Bohn-Jespersen, of Denmark. Else was visiting her sister, Gunvar, in Greenland. Else and Carl fell in love and were engaged in February. On July 24, 1949, Carl and Else were married in Gentofte, Denmark, with Else's father, Pastor Erik Bohn-Jespersen, officiating. Following a month-long wedding trip in Denmark, the couple settled in Chicopee, Massachusetts.

From 1949 to 1951, Lt.(jg)SC Bergkvist was stationed at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, serving as Disbursing Officer Squadron VR-6. Mr. Bergkvist then worked as the Business Manager of the Illinois Industrial Home for the Blind, Business Manager for the Illinois Soldier's and Sailor's Children's School, and as the Administrative Resident and Business Manager of the Dixon State School, while also working towards his Master's degree. In June, 1958 he received a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Chicago, with a specialty in Hospital Administration.

Mr. Bergkvist went on to become the Assistant Administrator of the Iowa Methodist Hospital in 1958, and then the Executive Vice President of Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia, PA in 1963. Along the way, the Bergkvist family grew with the joyful additions of Carl Erik, Linda Sue, and Thomas Allen.

In 1971 Mr. Bergkvist became the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Bryn Mawr Hospital, in Bryn Mawr, PA. In 1985 Mr. Bergkvist was instrumental in the formation of Main Line Health, Inc., and served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1985 to 1988. In 1988 Mr. Bergkvist became the President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Main Line Health, Inc., retiring in the spring of 1989.

During his career in hospital administration, Mr. Bergkvist also served on the Board of Directors of The Bryn Mawr Hospital, The Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, Main Line Health, Inc., Medicon, Inc., the Philadelphia Suburban Corporation, the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, the Devon Horse Show, the American Protestant Hospital Association, the Delaware Valley Health Plan, the Greater Philadelphia Blood Bank Association, Health Providers Insurance Company, the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Chicago Hospital Administration Alumni Association.

Mr. Bergkvist was very active in the American Hospital Association and the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania. Mr. Bergkvist was a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Hospital Association from 1978 to 1981. Mr. Bergkvist served on the Board of the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania from 1968 to 1972 and 1981 to 1985, and was Chairman of the Board from 1972 to 1973.

In 1989 Mr. Bergkvist and Else retired to Orleans on Cape Cod, MA. During retirement Mr. Bergkvist became very active in the community, serving on the Boards of the Cape Cod Hospital and the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra. He was a member of the Orleans, MA Open Space Committee and the Orleans Finance Committee. St. Peter's Lutheran Church was a very important part of both Carl and Else's lives, and he served on the Church Council and as Chairman of the Pastor Selection Committee.

Carl and Else greatly enjoyed their retirement years on Cape Cod, and resided longer in their Orleans home than in any other home in their 66 year-long marriage. They loved the beaches and the beautiful towns of the Cape, and one of their greatest pleasures was sharing the nature and the activities of the Cape with many, many friends and family. All were welcome, but their most joyful treasure was visits from their children and grandchildren.

Carl Bergkvist was very involved in the most positive and caring way in the lives of his family, friends, and neighbors. He developed sincere relationships with those he came in contact with in all walks of life. He was genuine and honest and everyone responded to this. Mr. Bergkvist was truly the "Mayor of the neighborhood".

Carl Bergkvist is survived by his wife of 66 years, Else, daughter Linda Pollock and son-in-law, Lee Pollock, son Thomas Bergkvist and daughter-in-law, Laurie Varlotta Bergkvist, grandson Ryan Pollock and granddaughter-in-law, Tora Olafsen, grandsons Andrew Pollock and Daniel Pollock, and granddaughters Kristen Bergkvist and Carolyn Bergkvist. Mr. Bergkvist is also survived by a sister-in-law, Else Bohn-Jespersen of Denmark, and many nieces and nephews in Denmark. Mr. Bergkvist’s son, Carl Erik Bergkvist, died in 1973.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 23 at 11:00 am at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Route 137 in Harwich, MA with lunch to follow at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 310 Route 137, Harwich, MA 02645. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.