Rev. Dr. Charles Bergstrom

1922 - 2018

The Rev. Dr. Charles V. Bergstrom, 95

WORCESTER - The Rev. Dr. Charles V. Bergstrom, a former Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church passed away peacefully on Friday, March 2, 2018 under the loving care of his family and the compassionate staff at UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, after a lengthy illness. He was 95. Born in Orion, Illinois, Rev. Bergstrom was the son of the late Edward and Emily (Swanson) Bergstrom and lived the last 15 years at The Willows in Westborough.

He attended elementary and high school in Orion, Illinois, graduated in 1945 from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois and attained his Masters of Divinity degree at Augustana Theological Seminary in 1948. He was ordained as Lutheran Pastor in 1948 in Moline, Illinois.

Rev. Bergstrom met the love of his life, Lois Johnson of Florida, while attending Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. They married on August 5, 1945 in Miami, Florida, beginning a long life of parish ministry and raising their three children. In 1963, Rev. Bergstrom accepted the position as Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester. They resided in Worcester for the following 14 years before moving to Washington, DC. They retired to South Yarmouth in 1988 where they lived until moving to The Willows.

He served the Lord at Saint Mark's Lutheran Church in Bridgeport, CT from 1948-1953, Bethesda Lutheran Church in Springfield, MA from 1954-1963 and as Senior Pastor locally at Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester from 1963-1977. From 1977 to 1988 he served as the Executive Director of Office for Governmental Affairs for The Lutheran Church in Washington, DC.

No matter where he lived or worked, Rev. Bergstrom actively preached, taught, and advocated for justice, positively impacting the lives of everyone around him. He served faithfully on committees and boards for countless organizations from the YMCA, to citizen action groups, non-profits, and city planning assemblies. His national presence was felt in a plethora of civic and religious organizations including President of the Board of Social Ministry, Lutheran Church in America; Chairmanship of The Committee on Ecumenical Affairs; Chairman of the Executive Committee, People for the American Way; Vice-Chairman of the Center for Theology and Public Policy; and President of Lutheran Resources Mobilization.

During his tenure In Worcester, Rev. Bergstrom acted as the President of the Worcester Ministers Association, served on the Worcester County Ecumenical Council, the Campus Ministry Committee, the Living Room Dialogue Committee, Social Action Committee, and the Ecumenical Relations Commission. He served on the boards of Faith House, Anker House, Worcester Court Resources, The Worcester Music Association, and The Community Action Council.

He was a prolific writer, producer and guest of prestigious television shows. Rev. Bergstrom's authored two books, The Gospel We Preach and The Word in Season. He contributed many articles to a variety of church and secular publications on church and government. In addition to producing local television, Rev. Bergstrom was a guest on Face the Nation, Good Morning America, MacNeil-Leher, The Oprah Winfrey Show and a host of local cable news programs. Among the many awards received for his lifetime of service, Rev. Bergstrom was honored by his Alma Mata, Augustana College, and the ALCU. He remained a consultant and lecturer on church and state issues for People for the American Way.

The Rev. Dr. Charles V. Bergstrom, or Chuck to his friends, or Dad to his children, or Grampa to his grand kids, or "Two Bumpa" to Zeke and Cy, is and always will be "The Man." He was devoted to his wife, Lois for 72 years. He did everything with his family in mind. He loved a family gathering wherever it might be and time spent with them on Cape Cod. Rev. Bergstrom was a champion for the down trodden, a strong advocate for justice, and was devoted to his Lord. He will be missed by all who knew him. "The world is a better place for his having been here."

His beloved wife, Lois J. (Johnson) Bergstrom died July 31, 2017. He will be affectionately remembered and missed by his daughter, Gail J. Craig and her husband, Daniel of Auburn; his son, Paul S. Bergstrom and his wife, Mary of Scarborough, Maine; four cherished grandchildren, Jessie and Eric Bergstrom, Cheryl A. Reinhart and her husband, Brian, and Brian D. Craig; and two great grandchildren, Zeke and Cylus Reinhart. Besides his wife and parents, Rev. Bergstrom is predeceased by a daughter, Cheryl Anne Bergstrom, a sister, C. Margaret Hultgren and brothers, John and Paul Bergstrom.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Rev. Bergstrom's family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A funeral service honoring his life will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster St., Worcester. Rev. Bergstrom will be laid to rest next his beloved wife, Lois at All Faith's Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rev. Bergstrom's name to Why Me and Sherry's House, 1152 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA 01602. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit

www.milesfuneralhome.com