Rev. Dr. Robert A. Solberg
November 20, 2015
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
Norman Imbrock
11/24/2015
God's promises of hope and peace as we all know it in Christ Jesus be with you now.
I was a fellow-New Guinea missionary from 1956 to 1987 and presently live in Napoleon, Ohio.
God be with you and your family.
Cheryl Churney
11/24/2015
May god comfort your family. Sorry for your loss. Your family is in our prayers.
Jennifer McAbee and Family
11/23/2015
Our deepest sympathy to Jud and family. Pastor Bob has and always will have a very special place in our hearts. His Christ-like ministry to my family and me, along with others was rare and beautiful. Thank you for sharing him with us. Our prayers for you all.
Cheryl Cox
11/23/2015
Pastor Bob and Jim had a special relationship and love of Christ that was demonstrated each and every Sunday. I cherish Pastor Bob's message that we are all "Easter people" during Jim's funeral. Hugs, prayers and blessings to the family.
Rand and Ann Reynolds
11/22/2015
Our deepest sympathy to the Solberg family. Pastor Bob will always be remembered for his kind and gentle spirit. We are grateful for the many times he ministered to our family and countless others over the years.
Marge and Bob Mock
11/22/2015
We grieve with you , dear Solberg family, the loss of our beloved pastor, colleague and friend Bob Solberg. He was wonderful and we have many very special memories !! Special love to you, Jud !
Nancy (Guberud) Cornair
11/22/2015
My sincere sympathy to Judy and the entire family as well as all of the people that Bob touched. He will be greatly missed! I feel priviledged to call him a high school classmate.
Barb MIller
11/22/2015
Pastor Bob has been such an important part of our family for many years. Most of our family milestones included him. Not only as our Pastor, when we were members of Zion, but as a family friend who was always there when we needed support and guidance. We will miss Pastor Bob very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pastor Bob's family.
David Burrier
11/22/2015
Our family were members of Zion Lutheran for 15 years when Pastor Bob was the lead pastor. It was this man that God used to reside over a miraculous healing service at the hospital for our son Marcus when he had cancer. God worked through this man to touch the lives of so many people!! God bless the memory of Pastor Bob. May God's hand of peace rest upon the shoulders of Jude and the entire family!
Jim and Tracie Olson
11/21/2015
To Judy and family: Our love and deepest condolences to you all. Pastor Bob was such an amazing man, we will miss him. Blessings, comfort and peace to you all.
Stan and Carol
11/21/2015
Judy and family. Please know we are thinking of you. Our love and sympathy in your loss. HUGS!
Stan and Carol