Dr. Robert E. Bergmark, 81, a dynamic teacher, provocative civil rights advocate, and emeritus professor of philosophy at Millsaps College, died Monday, March 17, 2003, in hospice care at home with his family. A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 30, at 2:30 P.M. in the Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex Recital Hall on the Millsaps College campus. The family will greet friends in the Lewis Art Gallery following the service.

"Bob Bergmark was one of the most renowned professors in the history of the College," stated Millsaps President Frances Lucas-Tauchar. "During his 34-year career, he challenged his students and fellow faculty members to think creatively, to act upon their values, and to live authentic lives. He was an important voice for social change in Mississippi for more than four decades, and many of his students continue that tradition today in his honor. We will miss him, but we will also celebrate his life and what he stood for in our community."

Bergmark came to Millsaps College in 1953, after having spent nine years as a Methodist pastor in churches in Massachusetts and Texas.

For Bergmark, teaching was a ministry in and of itself. "I think of life as an opportunity for service. My particular role in being of assistance is to be a teacher," he once said.

Bergmark taught philosophy at Millsaps for 34 years, before retiring in 1987. During his distinguished career at Millsaps, he served as chairman of the philosophy department from 1962 until 1987; chairman of the humanities division from 1964 to 1973; member of the academic council from 1967 until 1973; and director of the two-year Consortium for the Advancement of Private Higher Education project, which encouraged computer literacy among Millsaps faculty. In 1974, he was named Millsaps' Distinguished Professor.

But Bergmark didn't mention these honors when asked what had been most significant about his career. "Rather than one thing, it's more the day-to-day experience with students," he said. "It simply is worth something, this kind of work-to see students over four years developing themselves, discovering their minds and their abilities to make distinctions."

"Dr. Bergmark's social conscience, his commitment to reasoned and informed thought, his keen analysis of domestic and world issues, his impatience with mediocrity and appreciation of excellence, and his warmth and wit made all of life seem so important and full of meaning," recalled Millsaps Chaplain Don Fortenberry. "He always made me want to be a better person and to bring some measure of grace to the world."
Bergmark was a mentor and friend to numerous students over the decades. Two of them honored him by establishing a lectureship and a scholarship fund in his honor. In 1986, Millsaps alumnus Jack F. Dunbar and his wife Wylene F. Dunbar of Oxford endowed the annual Dunbar Lecture in Philosophy honoring Robert E. Bergmark. In 1993, Millsaps alumnus and trustee Robert N. Leggett, Jr., and his wife Dee Leggett of Great Falls, Virginia, established the Dr. Robert E. Bergmark Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Bergmark was an enthusiastic supporter of local cultural and fine arts endeavors. He was also a world traveler having made extended trips through Western Europe, the Far East and the Middle East. He led three study tours to mainland China in 1976, 1980 and 1988.

A native of Charlton, Mass., Bergmark graduated from Emory University in 1943 with an A.B. in philosophy. He earned his bachelor of sacred theology at Boston University in 1946, and his Ph.D. in philosophy from Boston University in 1961.

Bergmark is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol Comstock Bergmark, of Jackson; daughter Martha Bergmark and her husband Elliott Andalman of Takoma Park, Maryland; son R. Edward Bergmark, Jr., and his wife Sally Kroon of Mendota Heights, Minnesota; grandsons Aaron and David Andalman of Boston, Massachusetts, and David and Brian Bergmark of Mendota Heights, Minnesota; brothers David and George Bergmark of Atlanta, Georgia; and sister Florence Ley of Honolulu, Hawaii. He was preceded in death by a daughter Christina Bergmark and an infant grandson Christopher Edward Bergmark.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bergmark Endowed Scholarship Fund at Millsaps College, c/o Director of Donor Relations, Michele Bunch, P.O. Box 151191, Jackson, MS 39210-1191. The scholarship fund was created by Bob and Carol Bergmark at the time of their daughter Christina's death in 1986.