Arn Berglund

Arn Berglund, 70, of Idaho Falls passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Arn was born to Arnold and Joan Berglund in New York City (a fact that surprised many who knew him). He grew up with his little brother Christopher in Westport, Connecticut. Arn, Chris, and a tightknit group of cousins had many adventures at family gatherings, resulting in stories still told to this day. Arn graduated from Staples High School in Westport, then headed West to pursue a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management at the University of Idaho. After some ups and downs (resulting in more stories), Arn received his degree from U of I in 1975. Because jobs in wildlife and fisheries management are scarce, Arn had a diverse job history that took him across Idaho and a few other western states. This unique career path was a source of many stories. Arn was a teacher, orderly at a state mental hospital, wildland fire fighter, conservation officer with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, hydrology technician, fisheries biologist, and more. The jobs he liked the most let him be outdoors. Arn married Kathy in 1984. They later divorced, but together they had a daughter, Annie. Arn loved being a father to Annie and a stepfather to Nathan. From the day Arn first became a father, he never stopped telling stories about his kids. Eventually, Arn’s career took him to northern Nevada for a fisheries biologist position with the Bureau of Land Management. There he met Laura, a fisheries biologist on a neighboring BLM district. Laura later moved to a position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In this role, Laura worked directly with Arn in a cooperative working group. This involved many long hours around a table with the group, solving the world’s problems, or at least a specific natural resource concern. Arn and Laura’s relationship moved from a working relationship to a personal relationship and they married in 1996. Katie was born later that year. Two years later, Eric was born. Arn loved his family, being a father, and spending time together. Arn’s love of fishing, fly-tying, hunting, hunting dogs, birding, bicycling, and the outdoors in general influenced family activities: lots of camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking, bike riding with the kids, and just being outside, usually with at least one dog accompanying. When the kids started participating in organized sports, Arn became an avid youth sports fan and devoted many weekends to youth soccer, hockey, swimming, and baseball. Arn volunteered to support the things he believed in. Arn has been a volunteer fireman and an EMT on a rural volunteer ambulance service, among other things. In Idaho Falls, he was deeply involved in in the local Trout Unlimited chapter. He was also an AYSO soccer ref and coach, an Idaho Falls youth hockey coach for 13 years, and instructed students from elementary school through high school on aspects of ecology and natural resource management at various times. Arn was passionate, loved deeply, and always enjoyed meeting new people, telling his stories, and learning theirs. He will be missed greatly. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 22, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00pm on the patio of the Idaho Brewing Company, 775 S. Capital Avenue, Idaho Falls. All wishing to celebrate Arn’s life and share stories are welcome.