Ralph G. Berglund
Ralph G. Berglund of Medford, NJ (formerly of Cherry Hill, New Jersey for 53 years), died April 7, 2021, aged 88, at Medford Leas. His beloved wife of 45 years, Marty Lou Mundt Berglund predeceased him in 2002. Dearest father of Kirsten Sessinger of Collingswood, NJ, and Sigrid Kiep (Robert P. III) of Haddonfield, NJ and loving grandfather of Madeline and Gretchen Kiep. He is also survived by his dear companion, Barbara Zimmerman of Medford, NJ.
Mr. Berglund was born in Atlantic City, NJ and grew up in nearby Margate City, graduating from Atlantic City High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from the Drexel Institute of Technology, and a Masters in Computers and Communications from the University of Pennsylvania.
After graduation from Drexel, he served as a commissioned officer with the Atlantic Fleet Naval Construction Battalions (the Seabees). Upon his release he began his professional career at RCA in Camden, NJ where he worked on designs for early computers and related equipment.
He began a career of entrepreneurship, joining colleagues from RCA in starting one of the first companies to manufacture computer communications equipment. In the mid-60s he launched a consulting firm which specialized in computer communication systems and business telecommunications. He operated this company and its successors until the early 80s, serving such clients as American Express, duPont and other Fortune 500 companies. Among the firm’s projects were design support for the early VISA authorization networks, and for the first MasterCharge (now MasterCard) sales authorization center. In recognition of his professional achievements, he was selected as the keynote speaker for the 1977 Data Communications Interface Conference and Exposition in Chicago, attended by some 15,000.
In 1968 he and James Palmer of Moorestown, NJ launched the Spectron Corporation which introduced and manufactured unique test equipment for computer communication systems. The company was sold to Canada’s Northern Telecomm. He then launched Systems Technology Forum with Richard Deal of Fairfax, VA, which provided industrial training seminars to thousands of people all over the country. Mr. Berglund believed that this work was the most rewarding of his career as it helped people perform their jobs better and achieve advancement, and was beneficial to their employers as well. He was awarded a Silver Plaque by the American Management Association for his seminars on telecommunications management.
In the early 80s, Mr. Berglund began to diversify into commercial real estate ventures. As a part of this activity, he organized an investor group for the Dawn Beach Resort Hotel in St. Maarten and served on its board for many years and as Treasurer of the Corporation. He successfully managed the conversion of the hotel to vacation ownership. After the hotel’s destruction in a 1995 hurricane, he presided over the sale of the property for its shareholders. He was also active in converting Chesapeake Bay marinas to condominium ownership, improving the marinas and making them family weekend destinations. This period coincided with his family’s years of boating on the Chesapeake Bay. He held a 100 ton Merchant Marine Master’s License.
In his retirement years, he served as a Trustee and Secretary of the Mordecai Island Land Trust, protecting a vital ecological habitat abreast of Beach Haven, NJ, where he and his family maintained a summer home. He also returned to the hobby of photography which he had enjoyed since high school days. His nature and landscape studies appeared frequently in juried shows and received many awards. Beginning in his seventies he created and maintained two web sites to showcase his travel, scenic, art, and family photographs. At age 86 he released an e-Book on Amazon entitled “Shooting for Better Images: Guidelines for Composition and Content”. His work can be seen at www.bergiesplace.com/
He was a member of the Tavistock Country Club in Tavistock, NJ for 33 years, and has been an active member of the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in Beach Haven NJ since 2000. He was a member of the South Jersey Camera Club and served on its Board, and was also a member of the Burlington County Radio Club. He had a yearly subscription to the Philadelphia Orchestra and loved to listen to WRTI. He was a volunteer at the Long Beach Island Historical Association in Beach Haven and gave walking tours of historical Beach Haven homes.
He will be remembered and loved for his love of his family, friends, his cats Pearl I and Pearl II, and his appreciation for the beauty of nature and the sea.
The family wishes to thank everyone at Medford Leas for the friendships and compassionate care he received from the staff and requests that any donations be sent in his name to the Residents Assistance Fund, Medford Leas, One Medford Way, Medford NJ 08055.
Mr. Berglund’s memorial service will be held at a later date.