Christian Author And Publishing Titan Robert Wolgemuth Dies At Age 77
Robert D. Wolgemuth, a respected Christian author, publisher and literary agent whose quiet leadership helped shape evangelical publishing for more than five decades, died on Jan. 10. He was 77.
His family said Wolgemuth succumbed after “a brief but intense battle” with pneumonia complications.
Wolgemuth was widely regarded as a servant-leader whose influence extended far beyond book contracts and boardrooms. He played a pivotal role in amplifying gospel-centered voices, mentoring Christian leaders and encouraging believers to finish life faithfully.
Wolgemuth worked with Max Lucado, Joni Eareckson Tada, Alistair Begg, Randy Alcorn, Jack Graham, Greg Laurie and others.
Laurie said Wolgemuth was “a legend in Christian publishing” and his work “has literally touched millions of people around the world.”
Wolgemuth held key leadership roles at Campus Life magazine, Word Publishing and Thomas Nelson Publishers, where he served as president, and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, where he served as chairman.
He authored or co-authored around 25 books, including “What’s In the Bible?” with R. C. Sproul, “Men of the Bible” with Anne Spangler and “Lies Men Believe.”
Wolgemuth also was general editor for the Men’s Daily Bible, a 2024 release that included 250 devotional readings for men. He told The Washington Times he wanted to help make the Bible more accessible.
“Many men are very daunted by this book, overwhelmed by it,” he said.
Wolgemuth said he also had some allies, getting the work into the hands of readers.
“My favorite is a woman who gives this thing to her husband and says, ‘I’ve never seen him sit down with the Bible in our marriage.’ This is good,” he said at the time.
Wolgemuth also co-founded Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publishers with Michael Hyatt and established Wolgemuth & Associates, a literary agency that represented many prominent evangelical authors.
“Robert was a man of quiet humility, gentle strength, and unwavering integrity,” Hyatt said on Facebook. “He lived his faith in everything he did. He raised my standards, mentored me, and showed me what it means to keep your word no matter the cost.”
Wolgemuth was born to Samuel and Grace Wolgemuth in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 28, 1948, He grew up in what family members described as a vibrant Christian home and came to faith as a young child.
He attended Wheaton Central High School in Wheaton, Illinois, and graduated in 1965. He then attended Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, earning a degree in biblical literature in 1969. Taylor later awarded him an honorary doctorate in humane letters.
While a college student, Wolgemuth met Barbara “Bobbie” Gardner. They married in March 1970 and later welcomed two daughters, Melissa (“Missy”) in 1971 and Julie in 1974. The experience of fatherhood inspired Wolgemuth’s first book, “She Calls Me Daddy.” He put a lifelong emphasis on faith, family and intentional spiritual leadership in the home.
Bobbie Wolgemuth died Oct. 28, 2014, after a 30-month battle with cancer. The couple had been married 44 years. Wolgemuth said her faith in the face of death was profoundly moving.
“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,” he said.
Wolgemuth subsequently married author and family friend Nancy Leigh DeMoss on Nov. 14, 2015, in Wheaton, Illinois. Together, they served in ministry through Revive Our Hearts.
In social media tributes following his death, DeMoss and others highlighted Wolgemuth’s Christ-centered humility, deep love for Scripture and unwavering commitment to prayer. Friends described him as a man who listened well, spoke thoughtfully and invested personally in the lives of younger leaders.
Wolgemuth’s final book, “Finish Line,” focused on preparing to end life well. He urged believers to live with eternity in view, writing about “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.”
In another reflection that circulated widely following his death, Wolgemuth wrote: “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.”
Wolgemuth is survived by Nancy, his daughters Missy (Jon) Schrader and Julie (Christopher) Tassy; five grandchildren, Abby (Ben) Quirin, Luke, Isaac, Harper (Durham) Martin and Ella; and four great-grandchildren.
A service for friends and family will be held Jan. 23 at Community Baptist Church in South Bend, Indiana.
This article was originally published by The Roys Report.
Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.