Lester Bergum's Obituary
Colonel Lester N. Bergum, 90, died on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 in Falls Church, VA. Col. Bergum was born on Nov. 20, 1917 in Blair, Wisconsin, the second youngest of twelve children, Tidemand (Tom) Bergum and the late Karn Olson Bergum. Col. Bergum served his country honorably as a pilot for thirty years in the USAF.
He was a decorated veteran of WWII and it is significant to note that Col. Bergum’s career spanned the most crucial and turbulent times our nation has endured. In war he was directly involved in such historic events as the invasion of Sicily, the D-Day
landings, and the war in Korea. In peace he participated in the Atomic Weapons tests in shaping a military force to safeguard the free world, and in planning for a highly responsive and effective Air Force personnel system for the future. No greater testimony of Col. Begum’s value to his service and country can be offered than to say he was at the place and at the time when major chapters of history were being written. Colonel Bergum’s impressive array of decorations include the Legion of Merit, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal and numerous unit and service awards. After retiring from the Air Force, Col. Bergum had a second career as a Radiology Hospital Administrator with George Washington University. He and his wife of 62 years, Janet L. Bergum, lived in Alexandria from 1965 until moving to Falcons Landing in 1996. Col. Bergum & Janet were two of the founding residents of Falcon’s Landing and Col. Bergum was involved in the planning of Falcon’s Landing Chapel, and was very involved in the Chapel Ministry, including singing in the choir. In addition to his wife who resides in Potomac Falls, Col. Bergum is survived by three children: Candace L. Young of Eagle River, AL, Lester N. Bergum, Jr. of Frankfort, IN, and Karen B. Lanning of Concord, OH. He is also survived by six loving grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Graveside services and interment with full military honors will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 at 3:00 pm at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Col. Bergum’s memory to the Falcons Landing Benevolent Fund - 20510 Falcon’s Landing Circle, Sterling, VA 20165-7502. Arrangements by Loudoun Funeral Chapels, Leesburg, VA.
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