Henry T. Bergh

1918 - 2011

Henry T. Bergh, a minister in the Adventist church, is also known for his only musical contribution, the writing of the Pathfinder Club theme song. When approached about creating a song for the Pathfinders, Bergh responded that he was not a songwriter or musician and dismissed the notion.

In 1949, however, while driving to a Sabbath appointment, he was remembering the request and found words coming to mind. He pulled off to the side of the road and wrote them down. He soon found himself singing a tune and, with the help of his wife Miriam, who captured the tune and created harmony, preserved the song.

Bergh sent the song to Wayne Hooper with a request that he critique it. Hooper returned it without notation and told him, "It's a good song; go ahead and publish it." Since then it has been sung numerous times and is part of every Pathfinder's experience both in the U.S and abroad.

ds/2013

Sources: Southern Tidings, April 2006, 9; Social Security Death Index.