It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of immediate past ASHRAE President Lynn Bellenger, who was the first woman President in the Society's history.
 
I had the pleasure of meeting Lynn for the first time when Edmonton hosted the Chapters Regional Conference in 2008.  She most recently joined our chapter for a Presidential visit this January, speaking at the luncheon and dinner meeting as well as chatting with young members at a YEA mixer.  She was inspiring and will most certainly be missed within ASHRAE and the HVAC industry.
 
Regards,
Lindsay Austrom
President
ASHRAE Northern Alberta Chapter
 
 
Immediate past ASHRAE President Lynn G. Bellenger, who served as the first woman president in the Society's 116 year history, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 19. She was president for the 2010-11 Society year, with her term ending in June 2011.
Bellenger, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, was a recognized expert in energy management, with a strong focus on the need for energy modeling to help create and refine more efficient buildings. She was a partner, Pathfinder Engineers & Architects, Rochester, N.Y.

"We at ASHRAE are greatly saddened by the death of our former president and our friend," Ron Jarnagin, ASHRAE president, said. "Her lifelong passion for engineering excellence resonated within our membership and our industry, inspiring us through her belief that engineers will lead an energy revolution with innovation. Through her service, she showed that there is a path available to all who wish to extend the influence of engineering principles to better serve the world we live in."

As ASHRAE president, Bellenger focused on Modeling a Sustainable World, sharing her thoughts about the role of modeling tools and how all involved in the built environment industry must come together to take advantage of "the rich opportunities for optimizing building performance through a collaborative approach from the beginning."

In an interview last year, Bellenger talked about her involvement in energy efficiency and how much has been put in recent years on the need to save energy.

"One of the cool things about the sustainability movement is that it has ignited a passion in people that is changing the world. That passion has brought a sense of energy and excitement to the industry and attracted people who are committed to designing and operating sustainable buildings. I don't see that changing in the future," she said.

Bellenger is a recipient of an ASHRAE Exceptional Service Award, a Distinguished Service Award, two first-place ASHRAE Technology Awards and the Lincoln Bouillon Membership Award.

She received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Principia College and a Master of Science in environmental science from Rutgers University.

Funeral arrangements are private.

If you would like to send your condolences please respond to publicrelations@ashrae.org. Messages will be assembled into a remembrance for the Bellenger family.