HANNIBAL, Mo. (BP) — Robert and Martha Bergen will retire from Hannibal-LaGrange University at the end of this summer after a combined 60 
Robert and Martha Bergen will retire from Hannibal-LaGrange University at the end of this summer after a combined 60 years of service. Since joining the faculty in 1987, the couple has taught an estimated 7,500 students.years of service, having taught an estimated 7,500 students.
Robert Bergen is HLGU’s associate dean of academic administration and distinguished professor of Old Testament and Hebrew. Martha Bergen is chair of the division of Christian studies, professor of Christian education and director of ministry guidance.
They joined the university’s faculty in 1987.
HLGU President Anthony Allen noted, “One cannot think about the impact and history of Hannibal-LaGrange University without associating it with the Bergens who have given so many years of their lives in service to this institution. I look forward to their continued relationship with HLGU as both the Drs. Bergen become emeritus faculty.”
Miles Mullin, vice president for academic administration, said the Bergens are “exemplars of what it means to be faithful Christian faculty members. Immensely talented, they devoted their lives to each other, their local church and generations of students at Hannibal-LaGrange University.
“Many, many of those students are now faithful pastors, missionaries, teachers, nurses, business owners, husbands and wives, and moms and dads because they sat under the teaching and watched the example of Bob and Martha Bergen,” Mullin said.
Robert Bergen has served as a Bible translator for three different Bibles: The New Living Translation, the New Living Translation 2.0 and the Holman Christian Standard Bible; and has published commentaries on the biblical books of 1-2 Samuel in the New American Commentary series, the Holman Old Testament Commentary series and the Shepherd’s Notes series.
He holds Ph.D. and M.Div. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and an undergraduate degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.
Martha Bergen has published a Bible commentary on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Shepherd’s Notes series and is a regular contributor to Biblical Illustrator magazine.
She holds Ph.D., M.Div. and M.R.E. degrees from Southwestern and an undergraduate degree from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina.
