the Delta Gamma Blog

Jayne “Jane” Livingston Bergman: Loyalty

As a collegian Jane was a leader in the chapter and the student body at University of Iowa, but it was her willing support of an endeavor that she and her husband, Bill, agreed to with another couple on New Year’s Eve 1968 when she exemplified what it meant to “Do Good” in a big way. Jane and Bill agreed to help build a new ski resort in Summit County with noted skier Max Dercum and his wife Edna. Max, who created his first ski area at Arapahoe Basin in 1946, would take care of the snow operations and ski school, while the Bergmans would handle the business side, finding investors and building first the ski facility, then the entire Keystone resort community.

Originally hailing from Iowa, the couple who met at a college pub when Bill offered to teach her how to play pinball, quickly sprang into action and started contacting friends in Cedar Falls, where they lived.

He is credited with transforming the ski industry into a corporate enterprise by getting Ralston-Purina to invest in Keystone. And right by his side was Jane teasing him and urging him on. Her son, Bill Jr., calls his mother the resort’s first marketing director.

In 2013 the Bergman’s’ co-authored a book, By Chance: The Founding of Keystone Resort. In it Jane is quoted, “When I wake up every morning and interact with the people who are here, it’s very grounding, and it centers me into staying in touch with the parts of life that are most important.” Very good advice no matter where you live. She was passionate about the community she helped create and enjoyed talking and greeting visitors to the resort or creating camaraderie with other Keystone residents.

As a collegian Jane was a leader in the chapter and the student body at University of Iowa, but it was her willing support of an endeavor that she and her husband, Bill, agreed to with another couple on New Year’s Eve 1968 when she exemplified what it meant to “Do Good” in a big way. Jane and Bill agreed to help build a new ski resort in Summit County with noted skier Max Dercum and his wife Edna. Max, who created his first ski area at Arapahoe Basin in 1946, would take care of the snow operations and ski school, while the Bergmans would handle the business side, finding investors and building first the ski facility, then the entire Keystone resort community.

Originally hailing from Iowa, the couple who met at a college pub when Bill offered to teach her how to play pinball, quickly sprang into action and started contacting friends in Cedar Falls, where they lived.

He is credited with transforming the ski industry into a corporate enterprise by getting Ralston-Purina to invest in Keystone. And right by his side was Jane teasing him and urging him on. Her son, Bill Jr., calls his mother the resort’s first marketing director.

In 2013 the Bergman’s’ co-authored a book, By Chance: The Founding of Keystone Resort. In it Jane is quoted, “When I wake up every morning and interact with the people who are here, it’s very grounding, and it centers me into staying in touch with the parts of life that are most important.” Very good advice no matter where you live. She was passionate about the community she helped create and enjoyed talking and greeting visitors to the resort or creating camaraderie with other Keystone residents.

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