Lynn Bellenger, First Woman To Head 55,000-Member ASHRAE Group, Dies at 62

Lynn G. Bellenger spent 200 days traveling the globe in her 2010-11 term leading the 55,000-member American Society of

Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. But Nancy Jendryaszek, with whom Bellenger co-founded Pathfinder Engineers & Architects LLP, Rochester, N.Y., says colleagues "found it amusing because Lynn was directionally challenged." A leader in energy modeling software development as well as being ASHRAE's first woman president, Bellenger died on Oct. 19 at age 62. The firm did not disclose the cause of death.

Bellenger told a Rochester business publication last April of her "disappointment" at being passed over for ASHRAE president after 10 years on the group's board, but the served it in numerous capacities and was elected to the top slot in 2010. Ron Jarnagin, her successor as president, notes "her lifelong passion for engineering excellence and her belief that engineers will lead an energy revolution with innovation."

An early advocate of building sustainability, Bellenger co-founded her firm in 1998. It has 32 employees and $3.5 million in revenue, says Jendryaszek. Bellenger formerly worked at Xerox Corp., where she and a former colleague founded its energy conservation program. An ASHRAE fellow and LEED-accredited, Bellenger relished her status as a role model in ASHRAE, whose membership is only about 5% female.

To honor Bellenger's legacy, ASHRAE has established the Lynn G. Bellenger Memorial Fund, which will be used to recognize women in engineering through scholarships or other means.

Contributions can be sent on line to: https://xp20.ashrae.org/secure/LynnBellengerMemorial/index.php

or by mail to:

Lynn G. Bellenger Memorial Fund
c/o ASHRAE
1791 Tullie Circle NE
Atlanta, GA 30329