August 30, 2024

Dear Joan, my name is Valentina and I owe my encounter with Christ to Bart. Back in 2000, I was one of those students of Orel University in Russia who heard the Truth at the workshops organized by the missionary group led by Bart. I was 18 then, my miserable orphan childhood had been over, but the revelation that I had a loving and caring Father changed my life forever. I am so sorry that I can’t tell him the words of my gratitude and respect personally. Thank you, Joan, for your and Bart’s ministry, for your hearts willing to share Christ’s love, for the changed lives of Russian students like me. Please know, that you and him did make a huge difference in this world. May God strengthen and comfort you, dear Joan, and may He bless your whole family. Warmest regards,
Valentina and the Ignatov family.

August 08, 2024

Joan and family,
So sorry to hear of Bart’s passing.  He was such an inspiration to me.  I admired his enthusiam in the Lord, an enthusiam that was quite contageous.  He affected so very many people.  Non-Christians were not safe around Bart, for they surely would not escape without hearing about the love of Christ.  For several years Bart was in my small group and I learned so much from him and he motivated me in my Christian walk.
I am sure when he came before the throne he heard the words “well done my good and faithful servent.”
JOHN ROTHGABER

August 05, 2024

Dear Joan and Family,
Please accept our deep condolences on Bart’s “promotion” into eternity.
My wife Annie and I and our family are part of Bart’s legacy.  Though I came to Christ after Bart transitioned the Penn State ministry to Sherm Brand, we both came to Christ as a result of the movement of God taking place in those wonderful days at Penn State.  We have been on the staff of Cru 45 years and to look back even for a moment to the way God used Bart is overwhelming and brings me to tears. 
I am certain that he will be missed by you, his beloved family.  In the interim, may the Lord cause you to look forward with anticipation to meeting again in eternity. 
Tom “1975-79”

July 27, 2024

Sincere condolences to Joan & Family. Bart was a joyful leader at Penn State when I was a very young believer. I am so grateful that the Lord put him at Penn State, and so happy I knew him, even if briefly. May God in His goodness comfort you and your family.

July 26, 2024

We were very sorry to hear about Bart’s passing. 
Bart’s message to Ed in his last days brought him comfort and joy. It’s wonderful to know they are both with our savior now! And a great reunion awaits us!
We lift the entire family up in prayer at this difficult time.  God bless you all. 
Love,
Gabriella Pentz & Doria Lenicky 

July 25, 2024

Michelle Schutz Chapman: My heart and my prayers are with you as you grieve for Bart. He  was a deeply loved and greatly respected ministry leader at Penn State when I was involved in the U of Delaware’s campus ministry, and I had the joy of knowing Tina when I was Cru staff at West Chester U 1984-86. Tina, I’m pretty sure the last time I saw you was at our Delaware wedding reception in December, 1991. What wonderful tributes from each of you! 
Michelle Schutz Chapman

July 25, 2024

Thank the Lord for Bart’s life and love for the Lord.    We got to know you through Bruce and Steve being buddies as teenagers.  How much fun we had playing tennis together and all the meals we shared.  You have only changed your address and we will spend eternity together and never have to say good-bye.  Prayers for the family.  You are finally home.
Shirley Mangin

July 25, 2024

I thank God for Bart, his life and ministry, he truly was/is a joyful Christian.  May God’s blessing and peace be on Joanie and the rest of the family.   With gratitude, love, and prayers from Liz Bakoss, an oldie from Penn State staff, ’72-’74

July 24, 2024

DEAR JOAN & FAMILY : 
Please accept Marie and my sincere condolences with the passing of Bart.  Bart made an incredible spiritual, dynamic and glorious difference in the world and to all the people that he met.  He was the one who led both Marie and I to Christ many years ago .  He aways listened with fervor to all of our issues and always presented a Godly remedy for all of our problems.  When speaking to Bart it was like speaking to Christ incarnate.  He was alwlays reassuring and interested in anything that was on your mind.  He was a soft spoken and gentile man who expressed himself always in a manner that he understood your situation and almost always had the correct answer to your problem.  We both loved Bart because he always represented himself as a true and sincere believer and lover of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Bart was grounded in Christ and the word of GOD.  His characteristics mirrored GOD’s characteristics. 
      Death is not a tragedy.  You die so you can live forever.  It is a reward for the righteous believer who will live for eternity in heaven with our LORD AND SAVIOR.
IN CHRIST
Bob & Marie Standeven

July 24, 2024

Dear Joanie and Trowbridge family — I’m grateful for the times our paths have crossed over the years since the late 80s – from Here’s Life, to serving together with ISP. The word that surfaces when I think of Bart (and you) is JOY! He exuded the joy of Jesus in everything he did, and every person he met.  Yet his greater joy is now walking and talking with Jesus face to face! May the wonderful memories you all have made fill your hearts with joy and buoy you through the hours and days when you miss his presence with you. 
Helen (Hoeksema) Davidson

July 24, 2024

My sincerest condolences to Mark and the Trowbridge family. I had the pleasure of talking with Bart at his home while I was there picking up and dropping off his log splitter. He was always a pleasant man and with a smile on his face. His love for his family was always evident and his love for Christ went beyond measure. 
patrick piel

July 23, 2024

Dear Joan and family,
Connie and I join in your sadness at the loss of Bart but at the same time rejoice knowing the great inheritance he had waiting for him in the LORD’s presence.  Both you and Bart played a significant role in our growth as disciples while part of Penn State Cru in the early 70s.  It was a time of amazing spiritual awakening and Bart led the charge for us in those marvelous days.  Connie was ahead of me in her involvement in the movement because she had met Bart at a church high school retreat where he spoke.  As for me, once Gary Eldred got hold of me as a new pledge in the Acacia fraternity and then got me connected with Roger Hershey, I became all-in with the ministry.  I remember Bart taking time to play racquet ball with me.  I could never figure out how he beat me every time.  I think he enjoyed teaching humility to a kid 10 years younger. 
After summer beach projects in Ocean City, NJ with Cru both in 1971 and 1972, Bart recommended me for a summer internship in 1973 with Bill Hogan’s work with Art DeMoss to start the Church of the Savior in Wayne, PA.  That summer inspired my desire for pastoral ministry.  Connie spent the following year with Cru while I finished at Penn State.  Then we got married and headed off to Dallas Seminary.   I retired from full time ministry in 2020.  It was Bart’s infectious enthusiasm and indefatigable zeal for sharing the gospel that lit my fire for evangelism.  We will forever be grateful for his significant part in our spiritual heritage.
Dean and Connie Linsky

July 23, 2024

Dear Lisa & Todd, 
Upon reading your Dad’s obituary as well as hearing him speak by video of he and your Mom’s missionary experience, I can see that he was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and an enthusiastic evangelist of the gospel:) He lived a remarkable life to be celebrated. May you have the peace of God beyond understanding as you mourn yet also celebrate his life and your relationship. Love,
Stephanie & Ed Ducote

July 23, 2024

Dear Joan,
it is so hard to say goodbye to someone we love so dearly. I know we all will find condolences in remembering beautiful moments of friendship and service to Jesus. BART’s memory will forever hold a place in my heart. Wishing you strength and love,
Olga Chesnokova 

July 22, 2024

Dear Joanie & Family,
Our prayers are with all of you as you say farewell to Bart.  Both of you were so instrumental in passing along the missionary spirit toward international students to us.  You accomplished this through your personal mentoring, sharing your experiences, practical tips and passing on many of your precious resources to us.  We are forever grateful for this new ministry area that you opened us up to.  
I will always remember what a joyfilled and caring role model Bart was.  It was a joy and a privilege serving international students with both of you.  While we grieve the loss of Bart, we do not grieve as those who have no hope.  The Lord Jesus is faithful to all of His promises!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Love, Bob & Janet

July 22, 2024

Joan and family,
 
Grace and comfort to you all in Bart’s passing. Heaven is the richer. I have many fond memories of my time at Penn State where I became a believer in 1972 through Cru. I remember Bart as an encourager in the faith. Amy and I went on to become overseas missionaries for nearly 35 years. What a joy to live just down the road from you in Ephrata and reconnect in recent years. We will always treasure our last visit. Bart was lying in bed but he never tired of hearing stories of changed lives and what God was doing, even overseas!
Jay and Amy Smoker

July 22, 2024

Dear Joan and Family,
i have fond memories of your trips to SC during the summers many years ago. Though i was a teenager, Bart had a postive Godly influence on my life.  My parents kept me up to date thru the years of how both of you continued to serve the Lord. What a great legacy he left.  Love and prayers to all of you.
Ron Lyles

July 21, 2024

Dear Joanie and all the Trowbridge Clan, we are so sad for you that you’re feeling the loss of your wonderful husband, brother, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather, the man of God Bart, but thankful that he and Jesus are walking the streets of gold together! We have been so deeply blessed by our time together in Moscow, and then here in Pennsylvania as the honorary grandpa and grandma of our three children. We are so thankful to have seen you all at the Poconos and then more recently our wonderful visit in Ephrata, thank you so much for the deep love and blessing you have been in our lives! We will miss Bart but look forward to our grand reunion in heaven, where we know that he was received with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Love and prayers, Madeline & Grisha Ivanovski 

July 21, 2024

Dear Tina & Matt,
Pastor Paul prayed for you & your family today at church.  I was saddened to hear the news about your Dad.  Then I read his obituary and I was so astonished at his life story.  My heart was glad that he lived a life well spent for Jesus,
It’s so wonderful that he was involved with campus crusade for Christ!  Now I understand why you have such a caring welcoming way about you.  
I’m sure Jesus is very pleased with his faithful servant “Bart”.
Love & Blessings
Paula Gauthier

July 21, 2024

Dear Joanie and Family, What a privilege is to have known Bart and to have done ministry with him! Knowing him from Davisville Church, he invited us to join him at Chatting with Americans at Temple U. Bart had a special way of building friendships with foreign students and they loved spending time with him. He had a wonderful way of getting others involved by inviting international students for Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations. Only in heaven will we come to learn how many lives he touched for Jesus. We miss him and look forward to being reunited with him in glory. Please be assured of our prayers for you in your grief. May the God of all  comfort be your constant comfort and hope. Chuck W

July 21, 2024

Dear Joanie and Family.  Words can not describe how much meeting Bart changed my life.  9 years ago, I walked into Davisville Church not knowing anyone.  Bart came up to me and offered not only his friendship, but shared his love for Jesus.  He wanted me to share that joy with him. He immediately offered an invitation to join his “men’s bible study “.  Before long somehow Bart arranged that I became an usher and worked on many other church activities. Im still at it.  I really love him.  He is a true man of God.

July 21, 2024

Heaven gained a true warrior for Christ this week.  Our family spent some wonderful times with him and family. But most of all we loved his faithfulness and love for our Savior, so much so that he spent most of him life sharing   Christ with so many.  Our prayers are with all of you as you celebrate Bart’s life and home-going. Much love to all. 

July 20, 2024

I am so sorry to hear about your irreparable and precious loss. Kindly accept our heartfelt and sincere condolences and May God Bless you to bear this faithfully, AmenBut, let me tell you Bart is enjoying his fellowship with his eternal father Lord Jesus Christ. Bart was such a wonderful and sincere worker of His Father’s Mighty work, no one can even imagin about it. He was just like an Older Big Brother to me. May God Bless his Soul to Rest In Eternal Peace, Amen  Ashar Sohail

July 20, 2024

My heartfelt condolences 💐 to you and your family of the home going of Bart. God comforts you and your family during this time of bereavement. Thinking and praying for you all. Psalm 23.  Pauline Lim

July 20, 2024

It seems just like yesterday when Bart & Joan led the PSU CCC. What a time that was!  I became a Christian thru CCC under Bart’s leadership.  What a legacy he has created over these many years!  So happy that he is now in the presence of the Lord Jesus!  What a reunion that must have been!  Merry Brand

July 20, 2024

Joanie, it has only been a month or so that we were made aware of Bart’s illness and we have prayed for Bart, you and your wonderful family.
We did not have the privilege to be around you folks very much but our hearts were over joyed when-we saw you and Bart very soon after we moved from San Antonio to Moscow.Those couple of weeks were a blessing including our few opportunities to play tennis. It won’t be long before all of us will be together with Jesus and that will be a happy day. We will continue to pray for you and your family, love in Christ Jay and Liz

July 20, 2024

Mim & I, Ronald feel blessed to call Bart and Joani our friends.  We share his love of sharing Jesus and are thankful to have known them for these last eight years.  I feel blessed to share briefly his love of canoeing is way two old man struggle to get into the canoe and go look for a few water birds and share our faith together. We look forward to sharing with him the fruits of our labor in heaven God bless you all. Mim & Ronald Friesen 

July 20, 2024

Bart was a mentor to my father, Carl Galyon. We grew up going to the Trowbridge house quite a bit. They were like our second family. We moved away when I was 10 but we always stayed in touch. We will miss him very much but rejoice that he is in Heaven. Brent Galyon

July 20, 2024

Sam & I always enjoyed our ministry times with Bart & Joan. He was always joyful, positive & fun to be around! I’m sure Sam was at the pearly gates to greet him. I’m sorry I can’t be at his service. Heading to Ireland & Scotland that day  Nan McCullough Huhta

July 20, 2024

Dear Trow’s Family, My heart and prayers are with all of you.  Your loved one touched Mike’s and my life in so many ways.  Trow was our spiritual mentor, prayer warrior, dear friend and family in our hearts. His love for Jesus flowed in his countenance, encouraging words, example and prayers and ministered to our hearts. Trow discipled Mike, gave us wisdom on life-changing decisions that we had to make, was Mike’s Best Man and when he asked Mike to be his transportation Director at the high school conference that he directed at Explo 72′ and I ended up at the same conference, is where Mike and I fell in love. Memories flood my heart of all the wonderful times that we spent with Trow and Joanie T.  Trow enjoyed  the apple pies that I would bring for dessert for the many delicious meals that Joanie T cooked when we were in their home. One memory that Mike had with Trow was when Bruce was born and Trow was witnessing with someone ssharing Jesus love when they were in the waiting room, an example of his life, always sharing his faith 🙏🏻.. Praise the Lord for the blessing that they and all of you have been to us. Bart is now with Mike in heaven worshipping at the throne and Joanie T and I will join them someday forever. Because Trow followed in Jesus’ steps he left us an example of this promise; “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, I Peter 2:21 Deborah Zook

July 20, 2024

Bart has been a family friend, fatherly figure and a spiritual compass for me and my husband. I have never seen Jesus but I know he must look like Bart. Seeing how he unites his family with with godly love and spreads such love to people around him amazes me, which is one of the reasons I came to Jesus. Thank you for making the world around you a better place, may you rest in peace. See you in heaven one day! Love, Lina and Fred

July 20, 2024

“MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS” are with you during this tough time.  Amsale Yemer