West Berlin Presbyterian Church welcomed a new pastor, Commissioned Ruling Elder, Robert J. Gustafson, P.E., PhD, to the community. He began serving the church in September of last year on a substitute basis, while the church looked for a new minister.

A news release states, “There was an immediate connection with church members. Bob was easy to talk with, like an old friend. The search committee diligently reviewed a multitude of resumes and ultimately came to the conclusion that Pastor Bob’s gifts and talents were the best match to the needs of the church.”

He was commissioned to West Berlin Presbyterian Church on April 24.

Gustafson, an Illinois native, grew up on a small dairy farm, and became a first-generation college graduate. His spouse, Yvonne (PhD, Ohio State), also a first-generation college graduate, is originally from Romulus, Michigan. They have been married for 40-plus years and have two adult children.

They have been active members of Worthington Presbyterian Church since 1987 when they moved to Columbus from Minneapolis. Serving as elders and as deacons and on numerous other committees in the church. The past the 4 years Bob has been chair of the Commission on Presbytery Operation for the Presbytery of Scioto Valley.

Gustafson retired from The Ohio State University, in June of 2014. His title is Professor Emeritus in Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. At OSU, he worked in various administrative and faculty capacities as a Department Chair, then Associate Dean and finally as a center director.

He remains active in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, where he is a fellow, past president and current Foundation president. He enjoys wood working as a hobby.

West Berlin Presbyterian Church welcomes visitors at 10:30 a.m. Sundays for church service.

For information visit the church website westberlinpc.info and its Facebook Page, West Berlin Presbyterian Church.