Lloyd Frederick Bergquist

Lloyd Frederick Bergquist left this world for his eternal home in Heaven on November 14, 2020, he was 91. Lloyd was born in Duluth, MN, the son of Frances (Johnson) Bergquist and Fred Bergquist. He grew up in Moose Lake, MN where he was involved in many activities, including music, sports, his church and local boy scout troop where he advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout. He maintained relationships with several high school friends for most of his life and took his family back to Moose Lake for visits several times each year. After high school, he went off to college eventually obtaining a degree in architecture from the University of Minnesota. His college studies were interrupted by service in the Army, when he was sent overseas to serve for 18 months in Japan. In his position as a real estate clerk, he spent much of his time away from base with the local Japanese, whom he came to love and admire. Upon his return to Minnesota, he finished his studies and also sang with a quartet providing choral background music for the Aqua-follies Water Show. He eventually joined a small architectural firm which later became Bergstedt, Wahlberg, Bergquist, and Rokohl (BWBR). Lloyd advanced to serve as one of the firm principals in what became one of the largest firms in the state. In the late 1950s he was sent to open a one-person branch office in Menomonie, Wisconsin where, while singing in the church choir, he met Mary Vogtsberger. They were married on August 22, 1959. The couple moved back to the Twin Cities area and eventually settled in Bloomington, where they raised their three children Tom, Nancy, and Jim. Mary and Lloyd joined Saint Stephen’s Lutheran Church, where they were active members for many years, both singing in the church choir. Lloyd was in charge of hiring at BWBR and took an active role in increasing diversity within the firm, by actively recruiting and hiring many architects who were persons of color. He served as the president of the Minnesota Institute of Architects and was elected as a fellow in the American Institute of Architects in 1980. He was appointed to the Planning Commission for the City of Bloomington and in that capacity helped to negotiate the agreement which led to building of the Mall of America. He was an active member in the Bloomington Rotary and was in charge of their international exchange program and responsible for placement of high school foreign exchange students coming to Minnesota. During this time, the family had four different exchange students stay with them, each for several months. One of the students, Karin (Sanqvist) Brodin, requested that she spend the entire year with the Bergquist family, and became like a daughter to Lloyd and Mary and a sister to Tom, Nancy, and Jim. Lloyd shared with his children, and later his grandchildren, the values of hard work and education. He also encouraged a love of history and different cultures, and enjoyed sharing what he had seen and learned on the many trips around the US and abroad that he took with Mary. Lloyd was a gifted artist and sketched buildings from the many barns around Bloomington to buildings—both famous and obscure—during his many travels. Lloyd was an avid reader, studying the Wall Street Journal every day and had a large collection of history books which he enjoyed discussing with anyone who was interested. Lloyd was very generous with his time and money, and supported many organizations and causes. He volunteered with Mary at the Minnesota Masonic home for decades. More than anything, he loved to share funny stories from the past and was especially known for telling jokes, not all of them very good, but still funny. Above all though, Lloyd was a wonderful father, husband, excellent provider, and role model. He was very interested in and supportive of his children and grandchildren, and enjoyed their frequent visits to ask each of them many questions about what they were up to and about their plans for the future. He is survived by his wife Mary, children Tom (Kathy) Bergquist, Nancy (Steve) Sizer, Jim (Molly) Bergquist, grandchildren Marc (Ashley) Sizer, Matthew (Swagata) Bergquist, Brenna Bergquist, Eric “Bubba” Sizer, Emily (Daniel) Degallier, Calli Sizer, Nicole Bergquist, Lily Bergquist, Nathan Bergquist and great grand-son Reid Sizer. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Frances Bergquist and his sister El’n Marie Brown. The family is having a private ceremony with a celebration of life at a later date. Memorials can be given in the name of Lloyd Bergquist, to a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Lloyd Frederick Bergquist

May 9, 1929 - November 14, 2020

Tributes

Lloyd Frederick Bergquist

May 9, 1929 - November 14, 2020

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