Dallas, TX- Rebecca Louise Baird Bergstresser, 83, died on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the Jack Byrne Center at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

Rebecca was born November 19, 1940, in Seoul, Korea, a daughter of Richard and Golden (Stockton) Baird. Her parents, who were missionaries in Korea, returned with her to the United States in 1941. Rebecca spent her early childhood in Colombia and Tennessee before settling with her family in Berkeley, CA, where she graduated from Berkeley High School in 1958. She studied history at the College of Wooster in Wooster, OH, graduating with honors in 1962. She earned a Masters Degree in Teaching at Duke University in North Carolina in 1963 and a PhD in History from Stanford University in California in 1973. Her academic research focused on the abolition of slavery in Brazil.

Rebecca married Dr. Paul R. Bergstresser in January of 1969 in Menlo Park, CA, and lived with him in California and then in Kansas and in Florida. In 1976, Rebecca and her family moved to Dallas, Texas, and her work in Dallas included teaching service at Southern Methodist University and leadership of SMU's Women's Center and its Community Engagement Programs. She also had leadership roles in the Dallas League of Women Voters and served a term as a trustee of the Dallas Independent School District.

Rebecca was a beloved mother, wife, neighbor, friend, and colleague.  Her children and husband adored her and cherished her intelligence, wit, and enthusiasm for music, particularly the bassoon.  Rebecca treasured her community at Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas, and she held many leadership roles while she was a member there.

She is survived by her husband, now of Garland, TX, her daughter, Laura Bergstresser and son-in-law, Rick Kendall of Vermont, her son, Daniel Bergstresser and daughter-in-law, Kim Nicoll of Massachusetts, her grandchildren, Mae and Henry Bergstresser and Lilly and Will Kendall, her brother, John Baird of Centennial, Colorado, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her family would like to thank the staff at the memory-care unit at the Village at White River Junction in Vermont for their tireless assistance during her last years.

A memorial service will be held for Rebecca at Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Please contact Anne Marino (anne.marino@northaven.org) for information about the service. Memorial gifts may be made to the Mission and Justice Fund at Northaven United Methodist Church, 11211 Preston Road, Dallas TX 75230.