Ambassador Donald Clayton Bergus

Feb 26, 1920 - Apr 12, 1998

BERGUS, AMBASSADOR DONALD CLAYTON, 78, born South Bend Indiana, husband of Elizabeth Ravdin Bergus, died at home in Strathmere on April 12, 1998. Ambassador Bergus graduated from the University of Chicago in 1942 and then entered the Foreign Service of the United States.

In his 38 year career, he served in Iraq, Greece, twice in Lebanon, Saudia Arabia, Paris, twice in Egypt, Turkey and the Sudan. He was an alumnus of the National War College and a dean of the Foreign Service Institute. Fluent in Arabic, Greek and French and a scholar of Middle East history, he also taught and did research as a Diplomat in Residence at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angles and at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.

He was a recipient of the Arthur A. Flemming award. After retirement in 1980, Ambassador Bergus served a fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson Institute in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Bergus retired to Strathmere in 1981. He was President of the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company and served as Chairman of the Fire Commission of Fire District No. 1.

He remained a Foreign Service Reserve Officer until his death.

Besides his wife Elizabeth, he is survived by their daughters Elizabeth G. Bergus, R.N. of Bridgeton, and Priscilla B. Laurence of London, England and their son, George R. Bergus, M.D. of Iowa City, IA, five grandchildren Nicholas and Samuel Bergus, Alexander B. Conner, Elizabeth and Katherine Laurence. He is also survived by his sister Ellaine Bray of California and his brother George of Texas.

A memorial service will be held at the Strathmere, 1998 Methodist at Church, on Tues.

Donations may be made to the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company of the Sea Isle Ambulance Corps

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

09/09/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7125649/donald_clayton-bergus