VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 10/11/07) - American Baptist Churches, USA regretfully announces the death of Rev. Dr. Gordon M. Torgersen. He died in St. Petersburg, Florida on October 1 at the age of 91. He was well known throughout the denomination for his commitment to social justice, his skill in pastoral care and his extraordinary preaching ability.
Torgersen pastored American Baptist churches in Ohio, New Jersey and Massachusetts, was a frequent radio and television speaker and, in 1952, spent a year preaching abroad for the British Council of Churches in England and Scotland. He also spent twelve years on the Board of International Ministries, nine on the Board of National Ministries and two on the General Board for American Baptist Churches, USA.
Faith in action was the essence of his life and ministry. Torgersen was threatened by the Ku Klux Klan while serving in New Jersey for his stand against Jews' not being able to live in the community. He also urged Massachusetts industrialists to hire African-Americans in major positions and was recognized by the NAACP for his work in 1966.
Torgersen's other contributions to his denomination and community include President of the Massachusetts Baptist Convention (now The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts); President of Andover Newton Theological School; General Assembly Member of the National Council of Churches; Consultant to the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board; Director of Church Relations at Colgate Rochester-Crozer Divinity School; Chairman of the Committee to build Grotonwood, a conference center for American Baptists in Massachusetts; Incorporator of the New England Baptist Hospital; and Member of the Board of Directors for the Big Brother Program.
Torgersen is survived by his wife, Margaret (daughter of noted American Baptist, Dr. Edwin T. Dahlberg), and his children, Dr. Joan T. Magill and her husband Thomas of Boynton Beach, FL; Philip G. Torgersen and his wife Gale of Paxton, MA; Gail T. Randall and Anne T. Goff, both of Worcester, MA; eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Worcester, on Saturday, October 20, at 2 p.m. The family suggests that contributions in Dr. Torgersen's memory be sent to the Margaret and Gordon Torgersen Fund at the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, 370 Main Street, Suite 650, Worcester, MA 01608, or to the Happy Workers Children's Center, 920 19th Street South, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/