Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/489073
Ours was a relationship of 50-plus years. It began when we arrived as students at the old Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary. We discovered a common history: our fathers were pastors and influencers among those Baptists called Conservative. Jud's grandfather was the Seminary's first president. My father was a seminary board member. Gordon College's Stillpoint magazine will offer a review of Jud Carlberg's amazing professional life. My preference is to muse on his private life. Apart from his family and a small batch of friends, Jud was not inclined to put his personal life on display. But those of us who came close to him observed what a truly Christian life looks like. We saw a man who dearly loved his wife, Jan, and delighted in her many abilities to bring cheer into people's lives. We appreciated his unbounded affection for his son and daughter, Chad and Heather, his quickness to be at their side whenever they needed their dad. Friends spoke of Jud as loyal, dependable, and thorough. Jud maintained a lifelong commitment to Denver Seminary. His first (but not nearly his last) monetary gift to the school came when he was 13. He served on the Seminary's board of trustees for more than 30 years. When big decisions were made, everyone wanted to know what Jud thought. Jud and I shared a love for the Boston Red Sox, reading, politics, music, the cinema, and sightseeing in various parts of the world. On the other hand, I never crossed over into his world of fishing. We exchanged opinions and counsel when life tensed up. The two of us laughed a lot, but we also encouraged each other to be godly men. Conversation between us was candid, yet we never had to regret anything we said. In Jud's younger years, he was characterized as hard working, in charge, never rattled, dignified. In his later years, the descriptors grew to include wise, calming, mellow, deep, humbly confident. In short, one felt elevated when with him. When it was apparent that we were going to lose Jud to cancer, I walked the roads of my community at 5:00 a.m. each morning. I shouted to God (really shouted!) and presumed to advise Him that He was making a terrible mistake. Sadly, my lament was not answered as I desired. Apparently, God had other plans. The poet Matthew Arnold wrote of his educator- father, Thomas: If in the paths of this world, Stones may have wounded thy feet, Toil and dejection have tried thy spirit Of that we saw nothing. To us thou wast cheerful, helpful, and firm. He could have been describing my friend. See you soon, Jud. Gordon MacDonald CHANCELLOR IN LOVING MEMORY OF R. JUDSON CARLBERG AFTER A BATTLE WITH CANCER, R. JUDSON CARLBERG PASSED AWAY ON NOVEMBER 20, 2014 AT THE AGE OF 74. HE PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN DENVER SEMINARY BECOMING WHAT IT IS TODAY. HIS LOVE AND DEVOTION FOR DENVER SEMINARY WILL NEVER BE LOST OR FORGOTTEN. SPECIAL TRIBUTE ENGAGE 19 ENGAGE 19 My friendship with Gordon College's president emeritus, Jud Carlberg, is now on pause. But I anticipate its resumption—the expectation of one who believes in eternal life. Provided with permission from Gordon College.