Remembering Marty Bergmann

Marty played a central role in the Arctic conservation community.  Over the years, he was Director of the Canadian Polar Continental Shelf Project, Chair of the Forum of Arctic Research Operators and Chair of the Pacific Arctic Group.
There are only a few occasions in life when one meets someone of Marty’s calibre and I was extremely fortunate to have known him for the past 15 years. His combination of outstanding professionalism, reliability, charisma and dedication to his work and beliefs, plus his fantastic creative and ‘pushing the envelope’ style, are a wonderful model for young Canadians.
Marty’s love of the Arctic shone through every meeting and conversation we had. The initiative that stands out the most for me was his inspired plan to bring a composer on the joint Swedish-Canadian research cruises in the Arctic, which ultimately led to a new symphony that premiered at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Marty never rested in his mission to help guarantee world-class research in Canada’s Arctic and to help bring the issues, facts and opportunities out to broader audiences. He will be sorely missed by those of us who work in the Arctic, but his wonderful legacy will endure and help his fellow Canadians plan and care for the Arctic well.