American Contract Bridge League
Unit 484   District 20

Profile

Tom Bergstrom

(Published May, 2003)

Who sez you can't find romance at a duplicate bridge game? Tom Bergstrom asked Martha Howard Bullen to be his partner. At first, she never suspected the long-term implications of the word, "partner." They will be married at the Ashland Springs Hotel on June 1st.

Tom is a new member of our Unit Board. He and Bill Reeves co-chair our Rogue Valley Sectionals.

Tom is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota. He was actively involved with winter sports as a youngster, and is proud that he and his high school hockey teammates were state champions in 1963. Tom graduated from the University of Minnesota, majoring in English and History.

He was studying for his doctorate in History at the University of Washington in Seattle when, in 1972, a friend invited him to visit Alaska to get involved with the election of Governor Hammond. Tom accepted; he went and stayed for the next 23 years as a political consultant. He held many governmental positions including Deputy Commissioner of National Resources and Chief of Staff for the Senate Finance Committee. He also explored Alaska's beautiful natural scenery.

Tom has three sons: Raine, Tait, and Morgan.

In his younger years, Tom and his family played cards, but never bridge. His mother taught him the art of poker; he found that particular skill useful in Alaska. Although he played a little duplicate there, he found there was money to be made in the game of poker.

Tom didn't return to bridge until he retired to Ashland in 2001, at which time he rejoined the ACBL. He called Geof Lewis to request a partner and the rest is history. "My most memorable bridge event was definitely meeting Martha," he says. "But after that I remember winning 13 points with Martha at a STAC game after playing for only a few weeks." Tom has already earned over 60 masterpoints, and he and Martha have plans to attend more area tournaments together.

Tom and Martha are enthusiastic cyclists. They intend to cycle for one month in France on their honeymoon. Tom cycled all over Europe when he was younger. He once spent 6 months riding his bike from Lisbon to Oslo.

The couple love to dance; they attend many OSF plays. Tom has been a lifetime owner of large loveable dogs, but will soon be a co-owner of Martha's cat, Ares.

Thrilled that attendance is up at local clubs this spring, Tom believes that Easybridge! classes have helped boost attendance.

Tom is a dynamic, skillful, and nice bridge opponent.

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