MEINHARD, Robert Harvey, 62, loved by everyone who knew him, went home to heaven on January 20, 2011, after a long fight with pulmonary fibrosis lung disease. He is survived by his loving wife, Charlyne Aiken Meinhard; two adoring daughters, Holly Elizabeth and Lauren Esther; and his spunky grandson, Julian Ace, who is crazy about his "Grampy." He was preceded in death by his mother, Esther O'Blennis Meinhard; and his father, Ned Harrison Meinhard, both of Richmond, Va; aunt and uncle, Isobel and Robert Meinhard of Staunton; and aunt, Margaret Meinhard Steinbrecker of St. Petersburg, Fla. Rob was a dedicated public servant who applied his high intellect and expansive energies to maintaining and improving the fiscal condition of the Commonwealth of Virginia. He retired in July of 2010, with 35-plus years of service in positions of senior audit supervisor within the Auditor of Public Accounts and state accounts receivable coordinator in the Department of Accounts. He achieved the certifications of CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) and CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner). Rob graduated with a B.S. in accounting from the School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University. He was a founding member of VCU's Sigma Sigma Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, an international business fraternity. In addition to his hard work and devotion to his family, Rob was a man of many talents and interests. A long-distance runner in high school and college, Rob loved hiking, camping and archery. Rob's love of archeology, Civil War and World War II history, science and science fiction are reflected in his extensive book collection and internet searches. An active member of the Richmond Chess Club and US Chess Federation until the birth of his first child, he retired from tournament chess at the Master level. Rob's interests turned to pipe collecting, and he became active in the Coterie of Richmond Pipe Smokers. These friends will miss Rob tremendously, as will his dear friends and fellow fountain pen enthusiasts in the Richmond Pen Club. Born in Staunton, Va., Rob moved to Richmond with his family in 1956, where he began attending Barton Heights Baptist Church, renamed Northminster Baptist Church in its current location in Ginter Park. Rob dearly loved his church and Northminster friends, growing up in the love and admonition of generations of caring Christian extended family there. His commitment to active service was evident to his co-workers in the Bus Ministry, the TV Ministry, and his beloved friends in the Appel Bible Class. A memorial service to celebrate Rob's life will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2011, 3 p.m., at Northminster Baptist Church, 3121 Moss Side Ave. Richmond, Va. 23222-2523. For directions see northminsterchurch.com. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Northminster Baptist Church or the American Lung Association.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
