Herbert R. Bergen

During the early morning of Tuesday, June 5th, Major Herbert R. Bergen, retired Salvation Army Officer, was in Salvation Army terminology, Promoted to Glory.   Please keep in prayer his wife Gladys, sons and daughters-in-law Charles and Faye Bergen of Salisbury, MD, Majors Gary and Joy Bergen of Murfreesboro, TN, Joel and Teresa Bergen of Salisbury, MD and daughter and son-in-law Majors Carol and Robert Bagley of Tucker, GA, grandchildren Scott and Lynn Bagley, Brian and Jeanna Bagley, Keith Bergen, Cliff Bergen, Michael Sprague, Amber Dixon, Wayne & Kate Sprague, Stacey & Steve Russum and great-granddaughters Rachel Wickham and Maddison Russum.  He is also survived by one brother, George Bergen of Great Bend, KS, five sisters Evelyn Burke of Stillwater, OK, Bernice Haddock of Manchester, TN, Louise Kirby of Point, TX, Delores Hill of Foresthill, CA , and Verna Tinsley of Lexington, SC.  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy Bergen and Donald Bergen and one sister Beatrice Edwards. Herbert often spoke of his love for his family and how proud he was of all of them.  In addition to family and many friends, Herbert especially valued his longtime friendships with fellow Salvation Army officers Lt. Colonel Fred McClure and Lt. Colonel Orville Salmon. Born in 1926 in Cordell, OK; the second of 10 children of GH & Bertha Bergen, Herbert became a Christian in 1937 and at age 17 applied to become a Salvation Army Officer. He entered Training from the Clinton, OK Corps; his corps officer was Captain Ezra Miles. Herbert and Gladys Ritchie fell in love at the Southern Training College in Atlanta, GA as members of the Fearless Session.  They were commissioned as Salvation Army Officers May 28, 1945 and married January 12, 1949.  Their appointments together included Sapulpa, OK, Plainview, San Angelo and Lubbock, TX, Divisional Youth Secretary in Virginia and Southwest Virginia and North and South Carolina, Fairmont, WV, Salisbury, MD, Wheeling, WV, City Commander Nashville, TN, City Coordinator Winston-Salem, NC, City Commander Charlotte, NC.  Their last appointment was Knoxville, TN from 1982-1991.  After retirement, they lived in Sevierville, TN and in 2006 moved to Delmar Gardens in Lawrenceville, GA. On January 12, 2007 they celebrated their 58th Wedding Anniversary. Herbert had many interests during his 80 years including creating wood signs with a router for several Salvation Army camps, fishing, gardening, bird watching-especially blue birds and hummingbirds, outsmarting the squirrels so intent in raiding his garden and birdfeeders, great jokes and pranks, music and reading.  Most of all he wanted to lead people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and then nurture their spiritual growth. Herbert enjoyed studying the Bible, and in retirement taught the Sevierville, TN Corps adult Sunday School class.  A note in one of his study Bibles reads "If you received a letter from someone you love and loved you very much, how long would you leave it lying around before you opened it?  The Bible is God's love letter to you."  Throughout 46 & 1/2 years as an active Salvation Army officer, along with the Advisory Board members and other supporters of The Salvation Army, he was enabled to reach people in need to provide physical and spiritual help.  The Knoxville, TN campaign to raise funds for the Center of Hope was especially dear to his heart. In 2000 he was diagnosed with Parkinson?s disease and since 2001 experienced several health struggles.  Bible notes illustrate his making peace with limited mobility: ?Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come.? Isaiah 35:3-4 He marked the third verse of  ?O Love that wilt not let me Go? by George Matheson as one he wanted for his departure:  "O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain And feel the promise is not vain, That morn shall tearless be."  The family will receive friends from 6 until 7 p.m. prior to the service. A committal service will be held Wednesday, June 13th at 11 a.m. in Seymour Memory Gardens in Sevierville, TN. A. S. Turner & Sons



On Monday, June 11 the family will receive friends at 6:00 PM to be followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 7:30 PM at The Salvation Army Lawrenceville Corps, 3455 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30044. A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home of Decatur, GA is in charge of the arrangements.



On Wednesday, June 13, the family will receive friends at 10:00 AM to be followed by an 11:00 AM Committal Service at Atchley's Seymour Memory Gardens, 122 Peacock Court, Seymour, TN 37865.



In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Salvation Army Lawrenceville Corps Lawrenceville, GA or Peachtree Christian Hospice, Duluth, GA.