EAST LONGMEADOW - Robert J. "Swede" Bergquist, 69, died peacefully July 18th, 2013, following a long illness. Robert was born in Webster, MA on Aug. 2, 1943, son of the late Carl and Eve (Johnson) Bergquist. Bob was a graduate of Conard High School in West Hartford, CT and Springfield College, and became a Licensed Physical Therapist following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania. He was an Associate Professor for almost 40 years at Springfield College, and ran a private practice for over 30 years, Physi-Call Therapy Services, Inc. in East Longmeadow. He was also a U. S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam Era. Bob was a selfless man who devoted his life to helping others. His passion was working with disabled athletes, and he developed a classification system for United Cerebral Palsy Sports. He coached Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Soccer, bringing his teams to the national games on many occasions. Bob leaves his wife of 30 years, Stephanie (Ray) Bergquist, whom he loved dearly, and his three children, Christopher, Zachary, and Jessica of whom he was extremely proud. In addition to many dear friends and colleagues, Bob leaves his mother-in-law Betty Jean Ray, father-in-law, the late John A. Ray; brothers-in-law Jim Ray, Dick Ray, Don Ray, Andrew Ray, Pete Dorian, and Jordan Carreira; sisters-in-law Charlotte Ray, Caroline (Ray) Dorian, Margaret (York) Ray, Tina (Smith) Ray, Sue (Norton) Ray; nephews Mike, Tim, Dusty, Dan; and nieces Sara, Rachel and Allison. Bob's wife and children would also like to acknowledge his first wife, Paula (Bielaska) Bergquist, who "Swede" was married to for almost ten years; as well as the caring staff at Redstone Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in East Longmeadow. Bob's family will receive friends on Sunday ( July 28th, 2013) from 1:00 to 5:00 PM in the chapel of the Byron Keenan Funeral Home, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, Mass. In Lieu of flowers: any donations in Bob's memory can be made to Disability Resource Program at the Center for Human Development, 332 Birnie Avenue, Springfield, MA 01107. www.byronkeenanfuneralhome.com

[Published in The Springfield Republican from July 20 to July 25, 2013]