Ruth Bergengren

Ruth Rawlinson Bergengren, 94, conservationist, landscape photographer, co-founder of the Career Counseling Center at Hartford College for Women and devoted mother of 3, died Dec. 29, 2013 at Covenant Village of Cromwell. Ruth grew up in Shanghai China, where her parents, Dr. Frank Rawlinson and Florence Lang Rawlinson, were missionaries. Ruth was the 6th of 8 children. Her childhood experiences nurtured her deep respect for other cultures and lifestyles as well as her love of travel. After graduating from Oberlin College, Ruth joined her mother and sister, Jean Schafer, in Hartford. In 1942 she married Carl Bergengren, an engineer at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft and a terrific dancer. Their marriage lasted until Carl's death 57 years later. Love of family was the foundation of Ruth's life. Regardless of the distance, they kept in touch. Springtime trips to South Carolina to visit her brother, Alfred Rawlinson and sister, Marjorie McKnight and their families were a welcome treat after a cold New England winter. Holidays were celebrated with her sister's (Jean Schafer) and brothers ( John Rawlinson) families and friends. This fostered a strong family-bond among "the cousins" which lasts to this day. Ruth's love of and respect for nature manifested itself in countless ways. Her garden was filled with wild flowers. She went birding with her friends. She enjoyed boating and canoeing on Connecticut rivers. Summers were spent at the rustic cottage that Carl built near Long Island Sound. Her prize-winning landscape photographs were shown at prestigious shows (the Glastonbury Art Guild, the Town Hall and the State Capitol). She served on Glastonbury's first Conservation Commission and the town's Water Resources Commission. In 1981 she initiated the town's first official measurement of wind energy. In 1968 she co-founded the Career Counseling Center at Hartford College for Women which provided educational and vocational guidance for the women of the Greater Hartford area. This counseling center, renamed Center of Professional Development, remained open until June 2013, when it was closed by the University of Hartford. Ruth was a "doer", volunteering for organizations with causes in which she believed: conservation groups, the Democratic Party and the Congregational Church in South Glastonbury. Her influence extended beyond her family and friends to those affected by the institutions where she volunteered, worked or initiated. Ruth was a thoroughly progressive, socially oriented woman. Ruth was predeceased by her beloved husband, Carl Bergengren, their son, Dr. Charles Lang Bergengren of Cleveland Ohio, and all of her siblings. She is survived by her son, Douglas Bergengren of Santa Cruz, CA, her daughter, Karen Warkall of Limeshain Germany, her grandchildren, Sabina Warkall of Offenbach Germany and Daniel Warkall of Frankfurt Germany, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on May 18th, 3 p.m. at the Congregational Church of South Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: CT Audubon Society, Center at Glastonbury, 1361 Main St., Glastonbury CT; The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut; The Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, 949 Main St., South Glastonbury, CT.