Pastor Robert Henry Albing was born on Long Island, New York, to Henry and Betty Albing. He has a twin brother, William, who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, an older brother, Carl, who is married and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota; and an older sister, Jo Anne Vigen, who is married and is a missionary in Fianaransoa, Madagascar.
Bob grew up in Clearwater, Florida, and graduated from St. Olaf College with a B. A. in history, before entering Luther Northwestern Seminary. At seminary he met and married Mary, just before traveling to Madagascar to begin his internship. After graduating from seminary in 1985, Bob worked at several jobs in St. Paul, until December 1988, including: grocery clerk, janitor, cafeteria worker, visitation pastor, English teacher for refugees, and junior and senior high youth director.
Bob was ordained at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in St. Paul on October 2, 1988. Officiating was the Rev. Richard Hodges (whose first call was in Palermo, North Dakota), and Rev. Jeremiah Olson of Minot, North Dakota.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 79