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Many will remember Mr. Bergan - English/Speech/Drama teacher from Central.
Orrin Navarro Bergan, age 88, passed away Thursday July 23, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona.
He was born February 20, 1933, the fourth child of Alma (Kecker) and Leander Bergan, rural Maddock, North Dakota. Orrin was baptized and confirmed at North Viking Lutheran Church and attended the public grade school in Maddock in 1950. He graduated from the Benson county agriculture and training school and entered the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon social fraternity and was elected to Phi Delta Kappa honorary society. Orrin received his liberal arts degree in 1954.
He was employed by KNOX-TV as a continuity writer. He was also a writer for Brandston and Klage Inc., St. Paul, and the Westmoreland advertising agency, Duluth, MN. In 1957, Orrin retired to UNO’s college of education and received his secondary teaching certification.
He taught English and Speech at Central High School in Grand Forks and co-directed musical productions. His master’s degree is from the University of Minnesota, Mankato. In 1963, Orrin joined the Bloomington, MN School District where he taught English, Speech, Humanities and Theater at all three of the high schools. He co-directed musical theater and pageant productions throughout his career.
He was a member of the Leadership Bloomington program, a board member of the Teacher-Mentorship Program, the Bloomington Scholarship Foundation, and several other civic and educational organizations. Orrin retired from teaching in 1991 and bought a home at Fountain of the Sun, Mesa, AZ.
He was an avid supporting member of the Mesa Arts Center, the Symphony of the Southwest, the Sonoran Desert Chorale, Salt River Brass, and Love of Christ Lutheran church. In December 2016, Orrin moved to an apartment in Fellowship Square, Mesa, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Arlene (Bruce) Hetler, and brothers Leonard and Marlen.
He is survived by special cousin, Roger Bergan, Ridgeway, Iowa, nephew Robert Hetler and wife, Ilene, and several other cousins, nieces and nephews, and thousands of highly regarded students, many of whom remained friends throughout his life.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 15 at 1 pm at the Maddock, North Dakota Cemetery (south edge of Maddock)
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Laurae Johnson (Lygre)
You were a great teacher!God bless you and your family.
You will be missed by many.
Laurae Johnson Lygre
Diane Ulvedal (Nerheim)
Great friend and teacher! Diane Ulvedal Nerheim 1961
Wayne Grantham
I had a literature class under Mr Bergen in my junior year at Central. We kind of made fun of him for some of his mannerisms, but he was an excellent teacher and ultimately, along with Mrs Steen, helped me develop my love of reading and writing. We can only hope that the great ones have taught us to take their places.
Theodore Harwood
I have many great memeories of Mr. Bergan and his enthusiasm when teaching and directing us in South Pacific. I remember how well the show went. He was helpful without being unrealistically demanding. I often wondered what happened to hism. Now we know that he led a very productive life working with youth. He is remembered.