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From NHL to ordination

Helen Reimer Bergmann

In September 1974, a blue Bug parked at the end of the Bergmann driveway in Virgil, Ont. Robert Glenn Froese had taken notice of a blonde girl sitting behind him in some classes at Eden Christian College, and it wasn’t long before he came for a formal date with Ruth Lydia Bergmann, our oldest daughter. Ruth’s younger siblings were immediately attracted to Bob. From his side, the fact that he came from a troubled home added to the attraction of a family with five lively children. At the time, he was living with an uncle and aunt while his two sisters lived with their mother.

Bob attended grade 12 at Eden – when he wasn’t playing goal for the St. Catharines Black Hawks. Hockey had been a part of his life since age three, when he began skating with his dad on their backyard rink.

After moving out of his uncle’s home, Bob lived with his mother for a while, then with a hockey buddy. In spring 1976, he came to the home of Jim and Norma Mundy in Niagara Falls, a foster home that provided much needed stability. The St. Catharines team had moved to become the Niagara Falls Flyers, and the Mundys’ son Jim was a trainer on this team.

Bob accepted Christ on April 7, 1963 with the help of his Sunday school teacher at Scott St. Mennonite Brethren Church in St. Catharines. Later, through the ministry of Harvey Goossen at Fairview MB Church, he was encouraged in his spiritual journey. On Dec. 2, 1973 he was baptized by Harvey at the Fairview Church – even though his hockey coach was not happy that he was missing a game. Together with Ruth, Bob also interacted with the Virgil MB Church young people whenever possible.

Bob and Ruth were engaged in July 1978. In September, his hockey career took him to Saginaw, Michigan, where he played with the Saginaw Gears in the International Hockey League. Meanwhile, Ruth juggled Niagara College studies, working at a gift shop, keeping in touch with Bob by telephone and making wedding preparations.

Abe Quiring presided at their wedding in Virgil MB Church on July 14, 1979. Ron Voth of the Fairview Church based his message on Philippians 4:4-7: Rejoice, be patient, be thankful, and let God take care of anxieties and frustrations.

Saginaw, Michigan was home for the new couple until summer 1981, when Bob was promoted to the Maine Mariners, a farm team of the Philadelphia Flyers in Portland, Maine.

On Jan. 7, 1983, Bob was called up to replace Philadelphia Flyers goalie Pelle Lindbergh, who was injured. His first National Hockey League game was Jan. 8, when the Flyers beat the Hartford Whalers 7-4. In the first two months, he had four shut-outs, starting his NHL career with a 13-game unbeaten streak.

After son Robert was born Sept. 8, 1982 in Portland, Maine, the family moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey in February 1983. Here David was born Nov. 12, 1984. After four years with the Philadelphia Flyers, Bob was traded to the New York Rangers, and the family moved to Rye Brook, N.Y. James was born on Sept. 1, 1987, and Kurt on May 22, 1990.

Major surgery on a frequently injured right shoulder put an end to active goaltending in October 1990. In May 1991, the family relocated to Lake Clear, 20 miles west of Lake Placid, N.Y. Bob commuted to his scouting and goalie duties with the New York Rangers and, after 1994, with the New York Islanders. Wanting to be closer to a major airport, the family then moved to Clarence, N.Y., near Buffalo.

Wherever Bob and Ruth made their home, they left a positive impact – not only professionally but also at the churches they attended. At Cherry Hill, the Alliance church pastor held a Bible study for hockey players and spouses during the week, recognizing that the men were often away on Sundays. While in Rye Brook, they attended Ridgeway Alliance Church. Their home was open to team chapels and Bible studies led by their pastor. While fellowshipping at Trinity Chapel, a little church on the outskirts of Lake Placid, the Froeses began an active ministry with youth. Before long, Bob became involved with the church leadership, which afforded preaching opportunities.

After getting settled in Clarence, the Froeses chose to worship at Faith Fellowship Church, an independent congregation established in 1987. Almost immediately, they began a ministry with the young people. The following spring, the board of elders requested that Bob become their youth pastor. Although still under contract as a coach with the New York Islanders, Bob asked to be released at the end of June 1996. He followed the Lord’s calling and accepted the full-time church position.

Only a year later, the senior pastor left the church, and Bob was asked to replace him. The following spring, the board of elders took steps towards Bob’s ordination. Walter Bergmann was asked to be one of the “outsiders” on the ordination council. The ordination took place May 31, 1998.

Walter and Helen Bergman, Ruth, Bob and Kurt Froese at Bob’s ordination May 31, 1998.

In the recreation room of the Froese residence, there are numerous photographs, trophies and plaques to honour Bob’s hockey career: 50th Career NHL Win; 1986 goaltender of the Year; World Hockey Championship, Vienna, Austria, 1987. Somehow these trophies fade in comparison to trophies at Faith Fellowship. There were 38 people baptized there in 1998, and another 38 in 1999. Bob is quick to say that it is “God’s doing, not ours.” People bring their friends who come, accept Jesus and ask for baptism.

Since Clarence is only an hour’s drive from Virgil, it is possible to visit more often. In addition to his pastoral duties, Bob is often invited to speak at various functions in other churches. Camp Crossroads, run by the Ontario Mennonite Brethren Conference, has also benefited from his ministry. Both Bob and Ruth are correspondence students of Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia.

The umbrella text they chose for their wedding day, Philippians 4:4-7, has protected the Froese family from year to year: “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

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Last modified May 4, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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