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Marcus Berquist Obituary
Marcus Reno Berquist, of Ojai, died at home on Nov. 2, 2010 after a brief illness. His funeral mass will be offered at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel at Thomas Aquinas College by Father Paul Raftery, O.P. There will be a Rosary service in the chapel on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m.
Born in St. Paul, Minn., in 1934 to Gertrude Mary Berquist and Reno Victor Berquist, Marcus Berquist was the second of three sons, all of whom became teachers in philosophy. Marcus Berquist was educated at the College of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.), and the Universite' Laval (Quebec). He taught in the Integrated Curriculum at St. Mary's College of California, at the University of Santa Clara (Honors Program), and at the University of San Diego before becoming one of the founders of Thomas Aquinas College in 1971.
He was co-author of the college's statement of purpose, A Proposal for the Fulfillment of Catholic Liberal Education. He dedicated the balance of his career to Thomas Aquinas College, the welfare of which remained at the center of his concern. He continued to serve as a tutor until prevented by impending death.
Mr. Berquist was married in 1975 to Laura Marie Steichen Berquist, and was an invaluable advisor to her Mother of Divine Grace Distance Learning program. Marcus and Laura were jointly awarded the 2009 Paideia Prize for Lifetime Contributions to Liberal Education. Mr. Berquist is survived by his wife, along with their children, Margaret Berquist Hayden (Steve), Ojai, Theresa Berquist Mastroieni (Mark), Campbell, Calif., John Charles Berquist (Michaela Robinson), Front Royal, Va., Rachel Mary Berquist, Washington, D.C., James Norman Berquist, Dallas, Texas, Richard Paul Berquist, Ojai; grandchildren, Gwynith Marie Morgania Hayden, Peter George Carl Hayden, and Lena Mae Avalon Hayden of Ojai, and Thomas Joseph Berquist of Front Royal, Va.; brothers, Richard Harlow Berquist, St. Paul, Minn., and Hugo Duane Berquist, Shrewsbury, Mass.; 25 nieces and nephews, and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Berquist was entrusted to the care of the family owned Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura; 643-8623.
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Memories and Condolences
for Marcus Berquist
David Bjornstrom
November 11, 2010
Mr. Berquist was unquestionably my favorite teacher at TAC. He had an amazing ability to draw critical distinctions to illuminate a point. He was always so patient and generous in sharing his time to discuss any philosophical issue. In class I sat spellbound by his insights into whatever we were studying.
During my school years there have been just two subjects that I found really distasteful. One was grammar and the other was foreign language, especially Latin. Yet somehow my favorite subject in all of TAC was Mr. Berquist's class on speculative grammar in Latin. That was Mr. Berquist.
He will be truly missed.
Kay Nelson
November 9, 2010
I just learned of his death today. I am so very sorry.
Kay Berquist Nelson
Irene (Cervantes) Hacke
November 8, 2010
Dear Berquist Family and those at TAC who were close to Mr. Berquist,
You have my deepest sympathy in your loss of such a great, gentle and holy man. I pray that Mr. Berquist, so dedicated to the truth, so noble and generous in desiring to pass it on to others, and so worthy in so many ways, now rests and sees the face of God. And may the Great Consoler bless you and give you strength, courage, and hope.
November 8, 2010
Although I never had Mr. Berquist as a tutor during my short Fresh/Soph year stay at TAC, it is to him and to his fellow founders that I owe a great debt of gratitude for, among other numerous things, my renewed fervor for my Catholic faith, dearest friends, a love for sacred music, and my husband. Without a college like Thomas Aquinas, I would not have spent the past 7 years so happily married to my classmate and best friend. I am also grateful for the friendship that the Berquist family has shared with mine for so many years. For everything that Mr. Berquist has given to so many, may he and his family be blessed with a hundredfold more.
- Mary (McCarthy) Murphy, '95
Gwendolyn (Green) Filipski
November 8, 2010
My sophomore year, I was walking through the Commons past the old chapel and encountered a group of students earnestly whispering to each other. I came to find out that they were deliberating what to do about Mr. Berquist. He was scheduled to teach their class and was 20 minutes late. Peter Miller (now at a Monastery in Clear Creek) found him praying in the chapel. Peter said something along the lines of, "I mean, you just can't interrupt that." The class decided to wait outside until he emerged from the chapel 15 minutes later, completely unaware that he had missed class; he was so immersed in prayer.
He was such a great man, and will be missed greatly. His family is in our prayers; I wish we could have been there with the TAC community this past weekend.
November 6, 2010
At my first Don Rags, the tutors said positive things until Mr. Berquist spoke. He said, "I'm glad to hear this, but I'm surprised because Mr. Probasco has shown me nothing in Latin."
Ouch.
When it was my turn to speak, I explained that I found the curriculum to be fun, except for Latin.
Mr. Berquist asked, "So are you saying that you don't do well in Latin because you don't find it...fun�?
"Yes�, I replied.
The tutors looked at each other for a beat and then erupted in laughter, including Mr. Berquist.
At that moment I knew my weakness, and my strength.
RIP you wonderful teacher and thank you for the college.
Mary Parker
November 5, 2010
I remember one class in Room 106, when a peacock came along and seemed to be peering intently through the glass of the door into the classroom. Mr. Berquist said, "The peacock also desires to know."
Penelope Boldrick
November 5, 2010
What a wonderful man and teacher. May he rest in peace.
Rebecca Likiardopoulos
November 5, 2010
I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful man with the world and TAC. I have been blessed by his presence and work.
Rebecca Likiardopoulos
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