Allen V. Bertelsen

Allen V. Bertelsen, 69, of Bozeman, passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 29, 2009. He was born Nov. 13, 1939, in Froid, a son to Verner L. and Ellen (Bentsen) Bertelsen. His mom passed away a couple of days after he was born. He was raised and educated in Ovando, until the eighth grade when he had to move away from the farm to attend high school in Deer Lodge.

At the age of 16 he enrolled at The University of Missoula. After two years of college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Army intelligence in Paris, France, until he was honorably discharged a few years later.

Before he left for the military he met the love of his life, Janet Rae, on a blind date. Al and Janet were married Dec. 17, 1960, in Butte. She was the force behind Al for 49 years. Together they raised three beautiful children.

Al graduated MSU in 1963 with a degree in general studies, with minors in history and French. He accepted a teaching position where he taught social studies in Whittier, Calif., for two years.

Al loved Bozeman and MSU and was lured back by the Bridger Mountains in 1965. He was the activities and building supervisor for the Strand Student Union Building until 1974, when he became the SUB’s third director. He retired in September 2008 as the director of the Strand Union after more than 43 years of service to Montana State University. He will be remembered as “Mr. SUB” by the students and employees he mentored over the years.

Al will be remembered for his easy-going, positive attitude and constant smile. He touched so many lives and was known by many names both by his family and friends: Mr. SUB, Father Bear, Papa, FIL (Father-in-Law), Daddy Bear, Grandpa Al, Al-ly, Big Al, Mr. Bear, Big Guy and Mr. Bungee. He was great at teasing his kids and grandkids and had a knack for adding humor to all situations.

Al loved Bozeman and he became firmly woven into the fabric of the Bozeman community. He served a vast array of local organizations: the Montana Advocacy Program; Montana Gold – honored on statewide television; member and management team of the Montana Special Olympics and director of the Special Olympics winter games; president of the Chamber of Commerce Green Coats in 1986; member of the board of directors for Gallatin Hospice; chairman for the Montana State Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors; chairman of the board of trustees for Bozeman Public Schools; Big Sky Ski Patrol; Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol; member and board of directors for Legislative Action Program for Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health and Special Education; member and search committee for executive vice president for Chamber of Commerce; moderator for Pilgrim Congregational Church; board of directors for the Sourdough Fire Department; member of the board of directors for Little Gal’s softball; chairman of dance and carnival for Montana Special Olympics; member of and on the executive board for MSU Alumni; member and on the advisory committee on special education regulations, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of Montana; board of directors for Reach Inc; president for the Montana Associations for Retarded Citizens; chairman of the board of directors for Pilgrim Congregational preschool program; received an honorary membership in the Montana Association for the Blind; member of the board of directors and president of the Bozeman Noon Rotary Club; institution representative for Pack 675 Cub Scouts BSA; member of and on the board of directors for Thrift Station Inc; senior vice president for Montana Association for Retarded Children and Adults; president of the Gallatin Association for Retarded Children, board member of Region IV-Developmental Disabilities Services Association; Bozeman Chamber of Commerce board of directors, Guy Sperry Award; liaison with MSU for the Wally Byam Caravan Club International Committee; vice president of Bozeman Jaycees, Montana Board of Visitors program; member of Montana Advocacy Program; served on the board for Eagle Mount from 1993-2000; served on Bridger Bowl board of directors from 1994-2000; Montana Special Olympics Family of the Year 1993; Bozeman Special Olympics Family of the Year 1994; coach for the Montana Special Olympics team at the National Special Olympics held in New Haven, Conn., in 1995.

Al’s wife, Jan, willingly supported her husband’s services to the community, knowing that all Al gave to the community came back to them in return.

Al loved to ski, enjoyed big game hunting and was a serious Bobcat fan, when he wasn’t helping in the community. His great joy in life was his family.

Survivors include his father, Verner Bertelsen of Helena; his wife, Janet of Bozeman; son, Mark (Lisa) Bertelsen of Yakima, Wash.; two daughters, Beth (Sandy) Bertelsen-Putirka of San Diego, Calif., and Julie Bertelsen of Bozeman; two grandsons, Brandon and James; one granddaughter, Jamie; his sister, Annette Gallup of Boulder, Colo.; brother, Dave (Karen) Bertelsen of Wibaux; many nieces and nephews; and his sister-in-law, Elsie Rae of Missoula.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen; and his grandson, Conner.

Al was a big guy with a big heart. He touched so many lives. He will be dearly missed by all.

A celebration of Al’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Hope Lutheran Church (the new location on South 19th).

Memorials may be made in his name to Eagle Mount, Reach Inc, Montana Special Olympics, or to Pilgrim Congregational Church.

Condolences and memorials may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.