Roger John Bergstrom, 76

Roger John Bergstrom, 76, of Whitefish, passed away Aug. 12, 2022. His life was one of dedication to his country and family, and he and his charming stories about his many adventures will be greatly missed.

Roger grew up on the Bergstrom family farms in Brady and Sweet Grass, Montana. He loved driving on the country roads. It did not matter if it was a tractor or a car, as long as it moved faster than he could walk. This love of high-speed, “tactical driving” would grow into long distance road trips across the United States and Canada in his trusty PT Cruiser. He once drove cross country to see a multitude of battlefields between here and Massachusetts, as well as to attend the New Orleans Jazz Fest with the Big Chief VIP Pass.

Roger’s humble beginnings grew into a sincere love and commitment to his country that reverberated throughout his many careers. This dedication to his country began with service in Vietnam as a part of the United States Army. Still young and having much to offer, Roger worked with the National Forest Service in the Flathead National Forest, at times as a smokejumper, until retiring. After this, he served as an EMT and volunteer firefighter in several locations throughout Montana. His commitment to community brought him to notably sign on with the City of Whitefish Police Department, where he worked his way up to detective over his several decades of service. Not one to sit still, Roger started up Snowghost Plowing, making sure people could get in and out of their homes and drive safely on remote roads during the cold and snowy Montana winters.

Always an outdoorsman, Roger’s hobbies included the typical fishing, hunting, hiking, camping and golfing. He often utilized his EMT skills and knowledge on his daughter when she fell off her bike, out of trees; or tripped when hiking on a trail he thought was easy. Additionally, he served as the best amateur tour guide of Montana – always finding the amazing places full of history or views that would take your breath away.

When he was not outdoors, Roger was a voracious reader. He read the printed newspaper faithfully and always had his nose in a good book. Close to a thousand books from his personal collection, spanning American history, politics, or literature depicting slice of life experience in the United States, were donated to small town libraries.

We will miss his FaceTime chats and texts where he offered a listening ear, shared experience-based wisdom, entertained us with the occasional political rant, or bragged about something his loyal companions Lola (a boxer) or CC Marie (the French bulldog) had done on one of his local adventures.

Roger was born July 14, 1946, in Great Falls to Robert J. Bergstrom and Marlys Plummer.

Roger is survived by his daughter, Kristin Elizabeth Bergstrom and partner Malcolm Boyd; brother, Dennis Bergstrom and wife Bev; brother, Randy Bergstrom and wife Trish; several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins including, Carol Covill and husband Wade; and Evelyn Bergstrom.

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his adoptive mother Irene Gerner and her husband Charlie, and sister, Karen Bergstrom.

A celebration of Roger John Bergstrom’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22, at Columbia Mortuary, 1010 4th Avenue West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Family and friends may begin to visit on Monday starting at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks you make a donation in his honor to the Glacier National Park Conservatory or the Vietnam Veterans of America. To send online condolences, please visit www.austinfh.com.