Betsy Bade Bacon, Residence Director of International House for 27 years, passed away peacefully in Berkeley on May 30, 2008, surrounded by her loving family.
Executive Director Emeritus W. Sheridan Warrick recalls, “In her reserved but gracious and insightful ways, Betsy Bade Bacon was a major figure at I-House and in the campus community. She was filled with spirit for International House and for all that it represents.”
Betsy was frequently the first Berkeley staff member to welcome students to the campus and to International House. In an era before faxes and email, she excelled in the art of communicating across cultures to arrange accommodations and match roommates for more than 10,000 students and scholars who reflected a diversity of nationalities, cultures, religions, and political perspectives. Betsy served as Residence Director at International House from 1957 to 1968 and again from 1974 to 1989.
Upon her retirement from International House in 1989, Betsy said, “Meeting people from all over the world went along with my own education and interests. I really feel it’s a privilege to work in such a unique and interesting environment.” Years later, she was frequently recognized on the street and greeted warmly by alumni who were grateful for her assistance and support.
Betsy grew up in Berkeley and in San Diego, graduated from Pomona College (1945), and pursued graduate work in history at UCLA. Her lifelong interest in people from other cultures was inspired by a year spent circumnavigating the world by ship and living on her father's archaeological dig in 1935 in what was then Palestine. Betsy’s extensive travels began with a bicycle trip through war-torn Europe in 1949. She enjoyed camping, hiking, skiing, and playing the flute and was an avid member of the Sierra Club. For the past five years she served on the Advisory Board of The Bade Museum of Biblical Archaeology in Berkeley.
In 1968, Betsy married Wilbur Bacon, a Foreign Service expert with experience in Korea. Wilbur passed away in 1973. Betsy is survived by her brother Cal Profesor William G. Bade and his wife Eleanor of Berkeley, by 8 nieces and nephews, by 11 great-nieces and nephews, and by 9 great-great nieces and nephews.
Friends, family, and alumni are invited to attend a Celebration of Betsy Bacon's Life at International House on Sunday, September 14, 2008, at 2 pm. Please RSVP to 510-642-4128 or ihalumni@berkeley.edu. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to International House, 2299 Piedmont Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94720, or to the Bade Museum of Biblical Archaeology at the Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709.
Betsy Bacon in 1959 with International House residents on a Rotary Club trip to Paradise, CA.
Betsy with residents in 1964 on a field trip to Drakes Bay.
Betsy at her retirement party in 1989.
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