Retired global personnel Robert L. Bergstrom of Milaca, Minnesota, died in December 2025. He was 100.
Robert L. Bergstrom was born on November 2, 1925, in Karlstad, Minnesota, and grew up on the family farm in Bock, Minnesota.
Once he was of age to serve in the military, Robert trained as a radar operator and navigator in the Army Air Forces during World War II. In 1943 he attended Oklahoma A&M. In 1944 he attended Radar School in Victorville, California. After the war in 1948, he attended Northwestern Radio and Television in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Robert stayed in the military reserves after World War II and in 1950 was called back to active duty for the Korean War. He flew 40 missions as a radar officer, including the last daylight mission of the war on October 23, 1951, when his B-29 was the only one of nine to return to base, with more than 1,000 holes in it. He earned two Air Medals.
After the Korean war, Robert began corresponding with Erma Beulah Johnson, a nurse living in Alaska. They married on October 23, 1965, and had four children: Paul, Julie, Ronald, and Janel.
After reading the book of Romans following the Korean War, Robert gave his life to Christ. He and Erma joined Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where he served as deacon, trustee, and chair of the building committee. Feeling called to serve, he and Erma volunteered to help build the Covenant parsonage in Nome, Alaska, then joined the Paul Carlson Medical Program in Zaire, where Robert worked as carpenter and maintenance man for about four years. In 1981 he and Erma were called by the Covenant Annual Meeting as Covenant missionaries to Zaire, serving at Karawa, Imeloko, Wasolo, and the Central African Republic. His renovation projects included an old tuberculosis ward turned dental and eye clinics, a new dispensary, the hospital’s central supply building, classrooms and a library at Ubangi Academy, village church buildings, and the power house for the Zulu hydroelectric project. After their work in the Central African Republic concluded, Robert and Erma retired in 1990.
Robert and Erma settled in Minnesota, where they enjoyed hosting friends and family on the family farm. Robert enjoyed reading, fishing, and hunting. He rarely spoke of the war until the 1990s, and he said he came home grateful to have served his country. His favorite verse was Ephesians 2:10.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Erma. He is survived by his children, Paul (Dana), Julie (Simon) Richardson, Ron, and Janel; and grandchildren, Laura (Henry Lee) and Johnny.
Peace be to his memory.
