Robert Wolgemuth

Robert David Wolgemuth, age 77, left his earthly body and entered into the presence of Christ on January 10, 2026, following a brief but intense battle with complications from pneumonia.

Born February 28, 1948, in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, to Samuel and Grace Wolgemuth, Robert grew up in a vibrant Christian home and came to faith at his mother’s knee as a young child. After graduating from Wheaton Central High School (Wheaton, Illinois) in 1965, he attended Taylor University (Upland, Indiana), where he graduated in 1969 with a degree in Biblical Literature and later received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters.

Robert met and fell in love with Barbara (“Bobbie”) Gardner when he was a college student and they married in March of 1970. Two precious daughters followed: Melissa (“Missy”) in 1971 and Julie in 1974—planting the seeds for Robert’s first book, She Calls Me Daddy.

After 44 years of marriage and a 30-month battle with cancer—and with Robert by her side—Bobbie went Home to Jesus on October 28, 2014. Robert often said of Bobbie: “The way she handled her own imminent death removed from my heart any fear of dying. She showed us how to do this with grace.”

Although he worked his way through college as a contractor and maintained a lifelong love of building projects, Robert spent his career in the publishing industry. Journalist Warren Smith said, “Robert Wolgemuth has been one of the most influential evangelicals you’ve never heard of …. He was the president of Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the oldest, and most successful Christian book publishers in the world. In 1992, he became a literary agent, representing some of the most successful evangelical writers in the country.”

Robert also held significant positions at Campus Life magazine, Word Publishing, and as co-founder with Michael Hyatt of Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publishers. He authored or coauthored some twenty-five books, several of which received Silver Medallion Awards. He served as Chairman of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and founded his own literary agency, Wolgemuth & Associates.

As a literary agent, Robert represented author Nancy Leigh DeMoss for a few years, during which time he and Bobbie became dear friends of Nancy. Unbeknownst to Robert, as Bobbie neared death, she told a couple of close friends that she hoped Robert would marry Nancy after she was gone. Some time following Bobbie’s Home-going, Robert initiated a relationship with Nancy who, to that point, had joyfully served the Lord as a single woman. The Lord opened Nancy’s heart to receive Robert’s kindness and love and the couple was married on November 14, 2015, in Wheaton, Illinois.

In his final book, Finish Line, Robert wrote about finishing life well—with preparation, peace, and purpose. He challenged his readers to live fully for Christ all the way to the end, all the way to “the dazzling splendor of Jesus. A blinding sparkle. A brilliant finish, to be sure. What an amazing goal for you and me. To finish well … with a beautiful, burnished, God-honoring finish.”

Robert lived what he preached, investing his last years on earth to the full: serving tirelessly alongside Nancy at Revive Our Hearts, writing, teaching, praying, mentoring younger men, caring for his neighbors, enjoying his family, and loving Jesus, Nancy, and others in a way that was infectious.

Robert joins his late wife, Bobbie, in Christ’s presence. He leaves behind his wife, Nancy; two daughters and sons-in law: Missy (Jon) Schrader and Julie (Christopher) Tassy; five grandchildren and two sons-in-law: Abby (Ben) Quirin, Luke, Isaac, Harper (Durham) Martin, Ella; and four great-grandchildren: Ezra, Ruby, Frances, and (soon to be born) Penelope. He also leaves behind a loving, extended family (including five close siblings and their mates and children) and an army of friends who treasure his love and life.

Robert’s friends and family will remember him as a faithful man of God, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, wise servant-leader, relentless encourager, and spiritual role model. His absence is sorely felt, but even now in death, his life continues to point to his one great Hope: everlasting life with his Savior in the new heavens and the new earth, surrounded by God’s people forever.

And the ransomed of the Lord will return and come to Zion with singing, crowned with unending joy. Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee. Isaiah 35:10

“Crossing the finish line is going to be a celebration like you cannot imagine. Even better. It’s Christmas morning when you were a kid. It’s your honeymoon. It’s the birth of your first child. Or grandchild. Or great-grandchild. It’s your favorite team winning the championship. The word is way overused, but this time it fits: one day your finish line is going to be awesome.” —Robert Wolgemuth (Finish Line)

A service for friends and family to honor Robert will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Community Baptist Church, 5715 Miami Rd, South Bend, IN. (All times are Eastern Time.)

• 11:30–1:45 Nancy and family will receive guests
• 2:00–4:00 Main service: Worship and lament; gratitude for Robert’s life
• 4:00–5:30 Light dinner and fellowship
• 5:30–7:00 Singing hymns and sharing memories

For those who are unable to attend in person, both portions of the service will be available via livestream at ReviveOurHearts.com/Robert.

A private committal service will be held on Saturday morning, January 24.

Please consider leaving a note of encouragement for Nancy or a tribute to Robert at https://www.reviveourhearts.com/about/robert-wolgemuth/#tribute. In lieu of flowers, a gift to Revive Our Hearts in Robert’s memory at https://www.reviveourhearts.com/donate/robert-wolgemuth/ will honor his heart for the mission and message of this ministry he dearly loved and where he served hand-in-hand with Nancy for the final decade of his life.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to our Ministry Services team at Ministryservices@reviveourhearts.com or 800-569-5959.