Former Linfield coach and athlete Marty Bergan passed away in McMinnville at age 86.
 
Bergan coached the Linfield women's golf program for eight seasons from 1999 until 2006, leading the Wildcats to four straight Northwest Conference championships from 2000 to 2003. He was honored as NWC Coach of the Year four times.
 
In 2001, he guided Linfield its only national tournament appearance in women's golf. The Wildcats placed 14th at NCAA Division III championship tournament,
 
"Seeing the players improve their golf game is very rewarding and then watching them prepare themselves for a lifetime of enjoyment of the game of golf," said Bergan on announcing his retirement. "I'll miss the day-to-day involvement and helping young people improve their fundamentals and desire to compete."
 
A former all-conference baseball pitcher at Linfield and a 1957 graduate, Bergan began his coaching career as an assistant under Hall of Fame football coach Paul Durham in 1956. He played baseball under two other Hall of Fame coaches, Henry Lever and Roy Helser.
 
Bergan spent 34 years in the Oregon National Guard as squadron commander and served as an advanced flight training instructor in the Korean Conflict. He retired from the military in 1985.
 
Survivors include his wife, Margie, a 1954 Linfield graduate.
 
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.