Pastor Robert M. Nervig
Pastor Robert M. Nervig
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Robert Nervig Obituary
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john Munkelwitz
March 2, 2021
What a kind and wonderful man he always was!!!! He was a kingpin.
June 17, 2019
I could say volumes about Pastor Bob, it would never be enough to capture the kind and caring soul he was. Forever with a smile and a welcome, Pastor Bob touched many lives. I speak from my experience at Augustana Academy where he was President. In my three years there (1968-1971) he had his hands full, Augustana had a diverse population, people from all over the world. He was not just a spiritual leader, he had to manage with hands on in this rural town, limited budget, tons of issues for all the wrong reasons, but...he never faltered, not for a moment. Pastor Bob helped me personally at this school, I was court ordered away from my home in Oregon, as such I needed more than most. Too, I got into trouble more than most and though discipline was used, he always saw his way to show you how much he cared. After I had left he had come to me to ask me to be a cook at the summer camp he represented, though I refused and cannot remember why, he continued being in touch from a distance. Pastor Bob was a natural leader, full of charisma and grace, a blessed gift from above where I am certain he now resides. Thanks Pastor Bob, belated as I am, you remain in my heart forever.
Rich Miller
October 19, 2012
As a child, I attended the camp and had the time of my life. Paster Bob was there at the time and made the experience that much more. Thank u sir and rest in peace.
Amy Salle
July 24, 2012
PB.... You are Missed! What a wonderful man who was always there for a quick pep talk or one of those amazing hugs! You changed my life and so many others! God Bless you PB and know how much you are loved and missed! Thank you for all that you have done! We all love you! All my love, Amy
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David Valentiner
July 17, 2012
Thank you, PB. Your confidence and faith made me better. My memories of you remind me to look beyond what I see and think on most days, to a bigger picture and a lot of love. Thank you.
william larson
July 16, 2012
you are gone but you will never be forgotten,your memory lives on in all the lives you touched,some words that come to mind,kinda neat,you will always be missed and loved
Alice Loddigs
May 21, 2011
good bye, pastor bob
i didn't have a chance to say goodbye in person
you were such a bright light in my life
your were a transfiguration witness
and you are now transformed.
that witness to the light remains
praise GOD!
even as that light cannot be experienced as we talk
even as that laugh can now only be faintly remembered
even as the images bring back our conversations
that witness to the light remains
praise GOD!
there are tears, though... even as i write...
i miss having the option to call
i miss all the advice you still had to give
i miss hearing your confident hope-filled voice,
seeing the twinkle in your eye
yet that witness to the light remains
praise GOD!
you knew. (he knew us all.)
your memorial was a fitting good bye
you knew who that service was for
it was your last gift to us
and your last chance to publicly
shout that strong witness to the light
praise GOD!
April 19, 2011
I can't begin to tell you what Pastor Bob has meant to me and my family. He was always so supportive and strong for everyone. His heart was so generous and kind. We knew him from Staten Island and when we were on the Board of Directors when we first bought Koinonia, we enjoy every contact we had with him - my children in camp, us building the Family Campgrounds, painting the 'Carrot' - many great memories. He is home now and I am glad to have known such a blessed man of God. Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to have Pastor Bob in our lives.
D. Minot-Whitman and girls
Carol A. Dilks
April 19, 2011
Pastor Nervig was a wonderful pastor, with home I spend many weekends at Camp Koinonia and in Our Savior on Staten Island. We will surely miss him!!!
March 13, 2011
I was two years behind Bob in school beginning as a sophomore at the Academy. I credit him with bringing me into a leadership role at Augustana College while a student there. He was instrumental in helping me in my first venture as Homecoming Chairman in l951. He was a great friend during those days and I have followed his ministry since through the years. John Knudson, Dana Point, CA
March 13, 2011
I met Pastor Bob while I was a student at Augustana Academy in Canton, SoDak. He always had a smile, a word of encouragement, and a "word from the Lord," for all of us. He always had time to talk. I was kind of one of the "free spirits" of the late '60s and spent quite a bit of time in his office. That was not really how I had planned to get acquainted with him, but at our 40th year class reunion he still called me by my first name...Hmmm. He was a great servant of the Lord's. I express my deepest sympathy to his family and close friends. But I know now that Heaven is a better place! With loving memories, Peggy Jo Henriksen Gragert, Rocky Ford, Colorado, AA class of '68
Dan Koopmans
March 12, 2011
I met Pastor Bob at River of Life Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis, when I worked there. He was a wonderful man and always had a smile and a good sense of humor. My condolences to his family on his passing.
Steve Saetre
March 12, 2011
It's with a heavy heart but pride that I ad my own condolences here to the family and many friends of Pastor Bob. The thousands of connections we share to Bob are amazing. We mourn, God and the Angels and all the Saints are rejoicing. I worked one summer at age 18 as a C.I.T. at Koinonia in 1980. A big experience it was! He joins Pastor Bob Wandersee and many other Saints gone before. I have much more on this grand man of vision,peace, wisdom,hope, a youthful heart, and lasting legacy on Koinnonia's Facebook page: Koinonia-Summer Camp,Highland Lake,NY
Beverly Heiberg
March 12, 2011
Pastor Bob came to Trinity in Brooklyn in the late 1950's as an enthusiastic intern.In those days Trinity had a Wednesday Release Time School.He helped my mother,Sylvia Heiberg and other volunteers immeasurably as they worked to make the program a real adventure in faith for the children including my brother Glenn and me.I was a pest to him, but he knew how to turn that around in in a jovial loving way. After ordination,he was called to Trinity as Youth Pastor and made such a difference in young people's lives, creating a haven in the basement of the Church office building where we had our gatherings. He overseed a regular publication called IXTHUS that was read by the teens with great interest. He had a tremendous gift interacting with young people that never ended. He was always a young person at heart. He came back to Trinity as senior pastor in the late 1980's with that same enthusiasm and smile for new generations.
Well done thou good and faithful servant!
Ron Baglio
March 11, 2011
My connection to Pastor Bob began in the early '60's. He welcomed my mixed religion parents into Our Savior Lutheran, on Staten Island and confirmed me soon after. I'm so glad I recently reconnected with him even if it was just a phone conversation. He as still the warm caring person I remembered.
Whether it was riding shotgun in his silver Buick Riveria up to Camp Greenkill, or arguing his Sunday sermons afterwards, he was always a great guy. I think I disappointed him by not following him into the ministry, but he wished me well in my life's endeavors and I'm thankful to have known him. Go with God as you always have.
Andy Sudbrock
March 11, 2011
Bob was such an amazing person and touched so many lives in such a positive and loving way. He will be dearly missed.
Mark Daniels
March 11, 2011
So few leave so many to testify to the impact on their lives. Thank you Pastor Bob.
Allan Bjorkman
March 11, 2011
I first met Pastor Bob when I was 11 years old, over 50 years ago, He introduced me to my first real girlfriend, and I was with his Luther League at Koininia for a week just after it was purchased, Only the farmhouse and the lake were there. He presided at my Mother's Funeral. I have never met anyone else that came close to the inspiration he gave to so many people over the Years. Anyone who attended camp at Koininia will never forget the Frosty Frog, or the Chapel overlooking the lake. I will never forget you Pastor Bob, you are home now.
March 11, 2011
His reach extended so far and to so many. Blessed are the dead, for they rest from their labors. He is now in the company of heaven. God bless.
Tracy Wilson, Becket, Massachusetts
Diane Koerner Anton
March 11, 2011
I meet Pastor Bob when I attended Our Saviour Lutheran Church.I am so greatful to Pastor Bob for all the great times that he gave us kids and for giving me the foundation for my christian beliefs. You will be missed.
March 10, 2011
"Earth's crammed with heaven and every bush a fire with God and those who see take off their shoes the rest sit around and pluck blackberries." How many times did we hear that on Sunday morning worship at Koinonia? Thank you God for this wonderful servant in the church, for Pastor Bob's 80 years of life and love!
Pastor Peggy Suhr-Barkley
(Pathfinder Peggy)
Robert Piazza
March 10, 2011
You were the first Pastor who I actually didn't feel awkward talking to about 'real life' issues, and you always gave the best advice. You shared your beautiful soul with everyone at Koinonia, and gave a smile to each and every one of us, no matter what was going on. And, I'll never forget the Frosty Frog story - I even told it to my daughter. Rest in peace, Pastor Bob. You're deeply missed.
March 10, 2011
I am grateful for Pastor Nervig's attempts at keeping Augustana Academy alive. He creatively attempted to rescue a school that was well worth rescuing. St. Paul said, "Whether we live or whether we die, we belong to the Lord." I thank God for the gift of faith, and for giving this gift to Pastor Robert Nervig who served ably and well in the years I was a student at Augustana Academy. Jimalee Jones, Pastor (Hancock, MI).
William Salt
March 10, 2011
Pastor Bob confirmed me when I was a kid on Staten Island, attending Our Saviour Lutheran. Aside from my father, he most certainly had the greatest influence and impact on my life. He was strong, always the teacher, never judgemental and always there to help. He will be sorely missed.
Peter Rosenkvist
March 10, 2011
Bob was always rich toward people. He modeled "love of Christ" well. Can't attend his funeral as I prepare to preside at another. But in spirit I join many today who learned from him to love carefully, to enjoy ice-cream, be gentle toward all and love Christ our Savior and brother through whom we have fellowship and the gift of one another. Peace to you who grieve.
Berit Aus
March 9, 2011
My father served with Bob at Trinity in Brooklyn. We renewed that friendship when Bob retired to Minneapolis. I remember Bob being the same to everyone, never singling anyone out to be greater or less than others. Go in Peace Bob. Thanks be to God.
Alfredo Roman
March 9, 2011
Pastor Bob was a man of extraordinary character, a man of faith and purpose. A man that will forever be engrained in the memories of those that had the privilege of knowing him. To know Pastor Bob was to love him. The time that I was able to share with Pastor Bob at Trinity Lutheran Church is time that will endure forever in my heart. Every moment was a teachable moment; his lessons did not begin and end at the pulpit. He was a constant teacher, a never ending channel of knowledge, love and support. Thank you god for allowing such a man to touch so many lives.
Ingrid Richardson
March 9, 2011
Rest in peace, my gentle giant.
Blessed are we who have known you.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my Soul!
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I'll sing on, I'll sing on.
With love, Ingrid
March 9, 2011
My aunt, Audrey Miller of Metuchen, NJ, knew Bob in the early 1960s when she worked at a Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY. In spring 1980 I contacted Pastor Bob asking for information about a summer experience. Since I had an Urban Studies degree from Augsburg College, Pastor Bob referred me to Pastor John Backe of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan -- where I had an interesting summer experience in the big city -- quite a change for a native Minnesotan! I finally met Pastor Bob at Koinonia in August 1980. Thanks to Pastor Bob, my horizons were broadened and I deepened my relationship with the Millers. May his memory be eternal.
Graduation 1971
Rolf Peterson
March 9, 2011
During his short 4 year tenure as President of Augustana Academy, Pastor Bob created a legacy of love being present among all peoples that continues to impact new lives today. He was a courageous and powerful source of change and inspiration for many. His beaming countenance, brilliant insight into human beings, and his personal integrity will be remembered by many. I am so very honored to have been among those influenced by him during my years at Augustana.
Arden Olson
March 9, 2011
Bob Nervig, while the President of Augustana Academy when I attended there from 1967-70, was one of the most extraordinary souls I had met in my life. He inspired me to believe in people when it may have been easier to give up. He helped me understand the value of work and of self-sacrifice. May his memory be a blessing to others as much as it will be to me.
David Pulido
March 8, 2011
You will be missed buddy. He was the first person I called before asking my girlfriend to marry me. He was always there for me throughout the years. He was like a father and an awesome friend. Rest in peace...
John Munkelwitz
March 8, 2011
Pastor Bob was certainly a man of great character and a person I respected for his committment to people and his caring manner. I had the pleasure of having Bob live at Calhoun Beach Apartments while I was General Manager for seven years and I spent quality time talking and visiting with him. His big smile, humor, commitment to the wrong party in politics, and his constant threat to take up a collection if I did not lower his rent, were all things that I loved about him. The world has lost a gracious and good man, but heaven has gained a new celebrity!!
David Isaksen
March 8, 2011
I will never forget your big smile and your wide open arms whenever we met. You would always speak to the campers in Koinonia like they were the most important people in the world...and to you , they were. You will be missed by many.....God Bless Bob.
March 8, 2011
Bob was an inspiration to this young pastor in Brooklyn in the 60's and what a joy it was to work with him at Koinonia when he returned as Director while I was on the Board. Norm Braatz, Bonners Ferry, ID
Alan & MaryJeanne Schaffmeyer
March 8, 2011
Bob was an outstanding mentor of us and many others. he touched so many lives. He co-officiated at our wedding and has been a prayer force throughout our life together. He will be missed.
Jim & Aggie Sandum
March 8, 2011
God bless the memory of Bob to all who knew him!
Milford & Diane Mork
March 8, 2011
We are so sorry for the loss of Pastor Bob. God Bless his family and friends.
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