Bergold, Adolpho (1899–1992) and Alma (1902–1994)

Adolpho Bergold, administrator, was born May 10, 1899, in the city of Indaial, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.¹ He was son of Ernest Bergold (1864-1934)² and Ida Fenning Bergold (1870-1955)³, both German immigrants. ⁴ The Adventist message reached his family through his father, a devout Lutheran, who, after attending an Adventist meeting in the district of Gaspar Alto, state of Santa Catarina, expressed an interest in knowing more about Adventist beliefs. He met a group of Adventists in his city and, after studying the Bible with them, he was baptized. Later he decided that his children would be instructed in Christian principles and he would not allow them to study in public schools.⁵ In 1913 Ernest moved to Taquara, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where he founded a natural treatment clinic. In 1928 this clinic was sold to Pastor Abraham Classen Harder and it became the Colégio Cruzeiro do Sul (now Cruzeiro do Sul Adventist Academy).⁶

In 1918 Adolpho went to the Adventist Seminary at Brazil College where he began his theology studies. The following year he began dating an American girl who would eventually become his life companion.⁷ Alma Meyer Bergold was born September 29, 1902, in Salisbury, Missouri, U.S.A. Her parents were German immigrants.⁸ Her father was Pastor Henry J. Meyer (1874-1972),⁹ who, in response to an appeal made at an Adventist conference in Philadelphia where he served as a pastor, moved with his family to Brazil in 1911 to assist with evangelism.¹⁰ Around 1914, when Adolpho and Alma were still teenagers, they met when the Meyer family moved to the city of Taquara.¹¹ At Brazil College they began dating and they graduated together in the first graduating class of 1922.¹² Adolpho and Alma began their ministry in 1923 when they accepted an invitation from the college to serve the institution as employees—he as manager of the farm and she as math teacher.¹³ They married on December 10, 1923¹⁴ and were the parents of Ida,¹⁵ Orlando, and Lindolfo.¹⁶

Adolpho worked as manager of the Brazil College farm for 26 years (1923-1948).¹⁷ He was also dean for three years (1931 to 1933)¹⁸ and teacher of the agriculture classes.¹⁹ He and his wife devoted themselves to music, supporting choirs of students who performed regularly in worships and on special occasions.²⁰ During his ministry at Brazil College the farm “made splendid and unprecedented progress.”²¹ In 1935 Adolpho had the idea of expanding the production of the small grape juice factory that operated in the basement of one of the college houses and which had previously provided juice only for campus consumption. The initiative was successful and the small factory entered the Brazilian food market and became the current Fábrica de Produtos Alimentícios Superbom (Brazil Food Factory).²² While Adolpho was farm manager he made the Dutch cattle on the farm well-known for bovine reproduction.²³

Alma also made an important contribution to the development of Colégio Adventista Brasileiro, working as a teacher for 26 years. She taught mathematics,²⁴ piano, calligraphy, typing, English,²⁵ and art.²⁶ Besides her teaching responsibilities, she also served as a pianist for church worship services and campus chapels.²⁷

At the end of 1948, Adolpho, Alma and their two sons moved to the United States where the couple’s daughter lived at the time.²⁸ They continued to dedicate themselves to serving God as employees of the Sandia View Academy in Sandoval County, New Mexico. Alma taught subjects such as accounting and financial management, calligraphy and typing, until 1960.²⁹ Adolpho managed the school’s farm for 13 years. (1950-1963),³⁰ and he was responsible for the dairy industry for seven years (1954-1960).³¹ Due to his dedicated work, the farm became well-known for its cattle, and the produce grown had the reputation of being the best in the region. It was reported that on Sundays the road leading to the farm was congested by those seeking the products the farm produced.³²

Following their retirement, the Bergolds moved to Pasadena, California, where Alma cared for her elderly parents and Adolpho served at the Glendale Adventist Hospital for another 21years. He also took care of gardens of the church and of friends, and Alma served as church treasurer. In 1985 Alma became ill and began to have difficulty with household tasks. As a result, the couple moved to Loma Linda in order to live with their daughter. In 1991 Alma became a resident at the Linda Valley Care Center, a nursing home located in the town of Loma Linda. Adolpho visited her every day, and a year later he became a resident of the same institution, where they spent their last two months together.³³ Adolpho died at age 93 on October 28, 1992, in Loma Linda, California³⁴ after a fruitful life of service to the Lord. Alma lived for two more years, and she died on October 28, 1994, in Loma Linda at the age of 92.³⁵

Alma and Adolpho Bergold made an important contribution to the Adventist Church as employees of two denominational institutions. Adolpho’s dedication to the agricultural sector contributed to the development of the Brazil College’s farm in its early days and to Sandia View Academy. At both institutions he achieved excellent results. Alma contributed significantly in the educational field to which she dedicated herself throughout her life.

Sources

“A Superbom.” Superbom (Online), 2016.

Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data. In: Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC. Engenheiro Coelho, SP. Shelf 2. Rack 14. Folder “Bergold, Alma.” Accessed August 20, 2016.

“Adolpho Bergold.” Revista Adventista, year 89, n. 1, January 1993, 26. Accessed September 13, 2016, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br.

“Alma Bergold.” Revista Adventista, year 91, n. 2, February 1995, 30. Accessed September 14, 2016, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

“Bergold, Ernesto Alberto.” In Enciclopédia Adventista Brasileira: Verbetes já traduzidos, 150-151. Engenheiro Coelho, SP: Centro de Pesquisas Ellen White, 1994.

Costa Júnior, Williams. “IAE: Escola que se renova, aos 70 anos.” Revista Adventista, year 80, January 1985, 37-38. Accessed September 14, 2016, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Ellis, R. Maas. “1932, Anno de Progresso.” Revista Adventista, v. 27, n. 12, July 1932, 9. Accessed April 4, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

“Ernest Bergold.” Revista Adventista, v. 30, n. 1, January 1935, 16. Accessed April 4, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Johnson, J. B. “Serviços de Inauguração do Novo Templo de S. Paulo.” Revista Mensal, v. 24, n. 7, July 1929, 12. Accessed April 4, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Macedo, Aparecida H. T., Do Sonho à Realidade: história de uma luz que nunca se apagou. first edition. Três Coroas, RS: Artes Gráficas Sohne, 1999.

Meyer, H.. “Aos Nossos Irmãos no Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Mensal, v. 10, n. 5, May 1915, 1. Accessed July 12, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Meyer, H. “Do Campo – Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Mensal, v. 10, n. 11, November 1915, 7. Accessed July 12, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Meyer, H. J. “Meu primeiro ano na Missão Rio-Espírito Santo.” Revista Adventista, year 52, n. 1, January 1957, 11-12. Accessed September 14, 2016, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

“Morre Domingos Peixoto da Silva (1898-1980).” Revista Adventista, year 75, n. 10, October 1980, 29-31. Accessed September 13, 2016, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br.

“Pastor Henry Meyer.” Revista Adventista, year 67, n. 12, December 1972, 29. Accessed July 12, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1924, 1926, 1928-30, 1932, 1934, 1939-43, 1949, 1951, 1955, 1961, 1964. Accessed April 4, 2017, http://docs.adventistarchives.org/docs/YB/YB1924__B.pdf#view=fit. [Insert correct date in web address to access document.]

“South American Guest.” Pacific Union Recorder, v. 48, n. 18, December 6, 1948, 8. Accessed September 19, 2016, http://docs.adventistarchives.org/docs/PUR/PUR19481206-V48-18__B.pdf#view=fit.

Taylor, G. B. “Algumas notícias.” Revista Mensal, v. 24, n. 5, May 1929, 8. Accessed April 4, 2017, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br/.

Taylor, G. B. “Collegio Adventista do Brazil.” South American Bulletin, v. 6, n. 1, January 1930, 2-3. Accessed April 4, 2017, http://docs.adventistarchives.org/docs/SAB/SAB19300101-V06-01__B.pdf#view=fit.

Notes

1. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 1.↩

2. Edgar Bergold, interviewed by Maria Júlia A. P. dos Santos, Ellen G. White Research Center, Engenheiro Coelho, São Paulo, October 13, 2016; and “Ernest Bergold,” Revista Adventista, v. 30, n. 1, January 1935, 16.↩

3. “Bergold, Ernesto Alberto,” in Enciclopédia Adventista Brasileira: Verbetes já traduzidos (Engenheiro Coelho, SP: Centro de Pesquisas Ellen White, 1994), 150; and Edgar Bergold, interviewed by Maria Júlia A. P. dos Santos, Ellen G. White Research Center, Engenheiro Coelho, São Paulo, October 13, 2016.↩

4. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 1.↩

5. Edgar Bergold, interviewed by Maria Júlia A. Prado dos Santos, Ellen G. White Research Center, Engenheiro Coelho, São Paulo, October 13, 2016.↩

6. Aparecida H. T. Macedo, Do Sonho à Realidade: história de uma luz que nunca se apagou (Três Coroas, RS: Artes Gráficas Sohne, 1999) 45-48; and Edgar Bergold, interviewed by Maria Júlia A. P. dos Santos, Ellen G. White Research Center, Engenheiro Coelho, São Paulo, October 13, 2016.↩

7. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 1; and Steen, T. W., “Seminário Adventista,” Revista Mensal, v. 14, n. 7, July 1919, 6.↩

8. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 1.↩

9. Henry Meyer, “Meu Primeiro Ano na Missão Rio-Espírito Santo,” Revista Adventista, year 52, n. 1, January 1957, 11; and “Pastor Henry Meyer,” Revista Adventista, year 67, December 1972, 29.↩

10. Meyer, 11; and Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 1.↩

11. Ibid.; Meyer, H., “Aos Nossos Irmãos no Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Mensal, v. 10, n. 5, May 1915, 1; and Meyer, H., “Do Campo – Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Mensal, v. 10, n. 11, November 1915, 7.↩

12. “Morre Domingos Peixoto da Silva (1898-1980),” Revista Adventista, year 75, n. 10, October 1980, 30.↩

13. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 1; and “Brazilian Seminary,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1924), 191.↩

14. Ibid.↩

15. Meyer, 12.↩

16. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 2.↩

17. “Brazilian Seminary,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1924), 191; and “Brazil College,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1949), 244.↩

18. “Brazilian Seminary,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1932), 280; and “Brazilian Seminary,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1934), 220.↩

19. G. B. Taylor, “Collegio Adventista do Brazil,” South American Bulletin, v. 6, n. 1, January, 1930, 2.↩

20. J. B. Johnson, “Serviços de Inauguração do Novo Templo de S. Paulo,” Revista Mensal, v. 24, n. 7, July 1929, 12; and Taylor, G. B., “Algumas notícias,” Revista Mensal, v. 24, n. 5, May 1929, 8.↩

21. R. Maas Ellis, “1932, Anno de Progresso,” Revista Adventista, v. 27, n. 12, July 1932, 9.↩

22. “South American Guest,” Pacific Union Recorder, v. 48, n. 18, December 6, 1948, 8; and “A Superbom,” Superbom, 2016, accessed October 3, 2016, http://www.superbom.com.br/empresa/a-superbom/.↩

23. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 1.↩

24. “Brazilian Seminary,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1924), 191; and “Brazilian Seminary,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1928), 256.↩

25. “Brazilian Seminary,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1929), 266; and “Brazilian Training School,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1939), 245.↩

26. “Brazil Junior College,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1941), 256; and “Brazil College,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1949), 243.↩

27. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 1.↩

28. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data. In: National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center, UNASP-EC. Engenheiro Coelho, SP. Shelf 2. Rack 14. Folder “Bergold, Alma.” Document “Dados Biográficos de Adolpho e Alma Meyer Bergold.” Available in local physical collection. Accessed August 20, 2016.↩

29. “Spanish-American Seminary,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1951), 278; and “Sandia View Academy,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1961), 270.↩

30. “Spanish-American Seminary,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1951), 279; and “Sandia View Academy,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1964), 321.↩

31. “Sandia View Academy,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1955), 232; and “Sandia View Academy,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1961), 270.↩

32. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data. In: National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center, UNASP-EC. Engenheiro Coelho, SP. Shelf 2. Rack 14. Folder “Bergold, Alma.” Document “Dados Biográficos de Adolpho e Alma Meyer Bergold.” Available in local physical collection. Accessed August 20, 2016.↩

33. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 1.↩

34. “Adolpho Bergold,” Revista Adventista, year 89, n. 1, January 1993, 26.↩

35. Adolpho and Alma Meyer Bergold Biographical Data (Collection of the National Center of Adventist History/Ellen G. White Research Center: UNASP-EC), 2.↩