Rev. Dr. Robert A. Solberg

November 20, 2015

Service Details

Reverend Doctor Robert A. Solberg passed away on Friday, November 20, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. He leaves this world with dignity, respect, and the love of his family and many friends. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 27, at Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 28, at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Wayne Almlie presiding.

Born in Spring Grove, Minnesota on May 10, 1941, he married his high school sweetheart Judith Ann Joerg on August 31, 1963. He attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and the Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He spent two years teaching under the auspices of the Church of Sweden Mission in Chegato, Rhodesia where his daughter Mureema was born. After receiving his Bachelor of Divinity from the seminary, he moved his family, including two month old daughter, Jaya to Papua New Guinea where he was a Lutheran missionary for over ten years. Son Paul and daughter Jodi were born in PNG. He then spent three and a half years in St. Paul, Minnesota studying and working on his Doctor of Ministry (and Pastoral Care) before moving to Souris, North Dakota to serve three small Lutheran churches on the prairie. In 1986 he moved to Des Moines to serve as head pastor at Zion Lutheran Church from which he retired in 2007. After retirement, he traveled back to PNG and Australia, to Tanzania on mission work, around the southern tip of South America, drove across Alaska, and cruised the Norwegian fjords. He spent time with his grandchildren and served part time at a number of churches including St. Paul Lutheran in Des Moines. He was also a board member at Luther Park for many years.

Bob was an adventurous world traveler and always engaged in his community, wherever that might be. He was dedicated to his work and family. He was a natural leader with great communication and organization skills and his wise advice was always welcome. He was an encouraging, supportive, loving spouse, father and minister.

He will be missed by his wife of 52 years, Judy; his children, Mureema Solberg (Min Pak), Jaya (Randy) Boldt, Paul Solberg (Lisa Finke), and Jodi (Grant) Goldsberry. He leaves behind eleven grandchildren; sisters, Margaret Flaten and Judy Diersen Ashbacker; brothers, Stanley, Paul, David, and Donald Solberg. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alphy and Benora (Harstad) Solberg; brothers, Alden and Charles Solberg; and his sisters, Lyla Smith, Naomi Hagen Solberg, and Helen Fink.

The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Buroker and his team for caring for Bob during his battle with multiple myeloma. They would also like to thank Mercy Hospice for their loving care of Bob and the entire family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Mhezi Lutheran Parish c/o Zion Mhezi Fund, Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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