How hard is it to change a front wheel bearing on a '97 vw passat glx could one rent a standard puller and press and get it done?

The job is not difficult if you have some mechanical skills and metric tools. 4 or 5 hours of labor.

Remove the wheel.

Remove the brake caliper. This takes a 7mm Allen wrench (2 bolts), each can be found under a small round dust cap.

Remove the caliper mounting bracket - 2 bolts.

Remove the rotor. It should come right off. If not tap it with a hammer to brake it loose from the hub.

Now you have access to the bearing and will need a puller. Advanced auto parts and some other parts stores rent specialty tools.

You can do it.