Thursday, October 3, 2013

Rene A. Berglund



 Rene A. Berglund, 95, of Poteau, OK passed away Monday, September 30, 2013 in Poteau.  Rene was born March 1, 1918 in Cincinnati, OH to August & Lillian (Wiesel) Berglund.    Rene’s former vocation as an aerospace engineer and his current avocation as an artist are similar: both engineer and artist are observers of nature-one describes nature in the language of mathematics, the other in illusion.  The engineer must obey the laws of nature to be credible – the artist may take liberties with nature but must render an illusion that is credible.  For both, their subjects are as large as the universe.

     Although Berglund was interested in drawing and painting in his early youth, it was not until 1980 after a career as  an aerospace engineer that he began.  A self-taught artist, he initially used the Foster art books.

  In the 30+ years since, he has produced many paintings and has entered many competitions and exhibits in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.  He presently has paintings in corporate offices, banks, museums, and private collections throughout the United States.

   After entering college to pursue mechanical engineering, Berglund served in the Army Air Corps during WWII.  As a civilian once again, he joined what later became NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).  His long career involved advanced aircraft design, communication satellites, space station studies, and, after his retirement, consulting.

   Survivors include his wife, Margie of the home; 1 son, Rene F. Berglund of Cocoa, FL; dog, Holly B.; sisters in law, Bettye Mathies and Doris Gravley of Ft. Smith, AR, Esther Berglund of Cincinnati, OH; nephew, Rick Mathies and family of Kila, MT; niece Debbie Robinson and family of Ft. Smith, AR; Extended family David, Cindy, and Will Akins of Poteau, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

   Services will be 11 am, Friday, October 11, 2013 at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, Ft. Smith, AR with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow. 


DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO THE POTEAU VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY OR POTEAU POUND PUPS

No comments: