Iver Gene Bakkegard

Iver Gene Bakkegard, 87, Lewes, DE died peacefully on June 7, 2026 in Birmingham, AL surrounded by his children. Iver was born July 30, 1938 to Iver N. and Lillie (Ulmer) Bakkegard on a farm southeast of Fullerton, ND.

He graduated from Fullerton High School, where he was a proud member of the Blue Devils football and baseball teams. He then attended the University of Jamestown, majoring in chemistry and minoring in math. After graduation, he accepted a high school teaching position in Maddock, ND where he taught science and math courses and assisted in coaching football for three years. Following post graduate studies under a National Science Foundation (NSF) Program at the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University, Iver taught high school mathematics in Havre, MT for one year.

He joined the System Development Corporation (SDC) in Santa Monica, CA as a computer programmer trainee for the Backup Interceptor Command (BUIC II) under the North American Air Defense Command, and following completion of his training, served on a four-person team at the Finland Air Force Station in Finland, MN, maintaining the air defense software for three years. He then completed training in North Truro, MA, on an upgraded Air Defense System before transferring to Tyndall Air Force Base at Panama City, FL, as team leader to install and maintain the new BUIC III system.

Iver began working in Ballistic Missile Defense in Huntsville, AL where his work on the Advanced Research Center started a career in the defense industry working for SDC, Burroughs, UNISYS, Paramax, LORAL, and finally Lockheed Martin (LM). Across his 35 year career, he never left the company, only changed badges. Following his retirement from LM in 2000, Iver and two partners started a small company that designed, installed, and maintained electronic physical security systems on US Army posts and federal installations. He retired the second time in 2010 and moved to Lewes, DE.

Iver was active in community affairs during his time in Huntsville; he was the first Church Council President when All Saints Lutheran Church was established as an ELCA mission congregation. He also served as the PTA President of the Mountain Gap Elementary and Middle School and coached softball at the local YMCA.

Iver is survived by his wife, Jean (Collins) Bakkegard, Lewes, DE; his three children, Kristin A. Bakkegard, Hoover, AL; John I. Bakkegard, Vestavia Hills, AL; and Koren L. Bakkegard, Barrington, RI; two brothers, Ken Bakkegard, Minot, ND, and Robert Bakkegard, Canyonville, OR; three grandsons, John Ellis (Eli) Bakkegard, Trussville, AL; and Samuel (Sam) and Thomas (Tom) Barrick, Barrington, RI. Iver was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Doris Anderson and Dolly Hample; his brother Merle Bakkegard; and two brothers-in-law, Bill Hample and Miles Anderson.

A private service will be held at a future date. Interment will be in Mapleview Cemetery, Fullerton, ND.

The family thanks his hospice caregivers and nurses, especially Missy Curry, Myra Kuhn, MK Roberts, and Anna James. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the University of Jamestown (6082 College Lane, Jamestown, ND 58405), with reference to the Iver G. Bakkegard Scholarship Fund.