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Harvey Blume Obituary
The Rev. Harvey Blume
May 16, 1936 - October 1, 2024
The Rev. Harvey Ludwig Blume, 88, entered the Church Triumphant on October 1, 2024. He was born in Concord, North Carolina, on May 16, 1936, and was adopted as an infant by the late Fred William Blume and Mary Belle Chambers Blume.
He graduated from Concord High School in 1954, and he received an AB degree in English from Lenoir-Rhyne College in 1958. At Lenoir-Rhyne, he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity, Alpha Tau Kappa, Pi Kappa Delta, and Kappa Chi. He was in the marching band for four years, and was named to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities." He worked in the college dining hall for two years and was head waiter for one year. He was a member of the Debate Team and a participant in the South Atlantic Forensic Tournament.
On stage at L-R, he played the role of Ali Hakim in "Oklahoma!" and the role of Stosh in "Stalag 17." He was in "The Male Animal," presented in the round in Cline Gym, as well as "The Story of the Old Shoemaker," a one-act play presented to students.
As long as he could remember, his mother commented that she would like for him to become a minister. She never overdid it, but she never let him forget that she would like him to follow through on the suggestion.
"I listened, heard what she was saying, and I guess it was always on my mind," Pastor Blume once said. "Between God and my mother, the way was paved to enable me to choose the ministry."
When his brother joined the Navy, the money that their parents had saved for college expenses all went to Pastor Blume. He attended college and seminary on the $5,000 his parents had saved.
In 1961, he graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina, with a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained June 11, 1961, by the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
He married Susanne Carol Snyder on August 20, 1960. She worked as a teacher to support them during his final year of seminary. Pastor Blume served North Carolina parishes in Lincolnton (St. Luke's - Salem, 1961-1963), Lumberton (St. Mark's, 1963-1970), China Grove (St. Mark's, 1970-1991), and Hickory (Sardis, 1991-1998) until his retirement in 1998. After retirement, he served a number of congregations as interim or supply pastor.
Pastor Blume served the North Carolina Synod as chair of the Youth Committee, the Campus Ministry Committee, and the Special Committee on the Election of the President of Synod. He also served on the Synodical Stewardship Committee and the America Missions Committee. He served as president of Rowan Cooperative Christian Ministry (RCCM), now Rowan Helping Ministries, which he named. He also served as dean of the East Catawba Conference of the North Carolina Synod. In 1982, he was named Fraternalist of the Year in North Carolina, primarily for his work with Lutheran Brotherhood Branch 8142 (now Thrivent).
During his ministry, Pastor Blume did graduate work at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, and Drew University in New Jersey.
Throughout his life, Pastor Blume and his wife enjoyed taking their daughters and later on, their daughters' families, on annual trips to Myrtle Beach, as well as numerous trips to Disney World. Their frequent travel companions often included their son-in-law's parents, Diane Everhart and the late Howard Everhart. Not only were they related through their children's marriage, they were true friends.
After their daughters were grown and married and he had more time to devote to family, Pastor Blume was a devoted "Pop," and he and Susanne enthusiastically attended all of their grandchildren's activities and sporting events. In retirement, he faithfully photographed and documented his and Susanne's family trips, sports, and grandchildren, as is evidenced by the plethora of photo albums that fill many bookcases in their home.
In addition to his parents, Pastor Blume was predeceased by his brother, Harry William Blume of Concord.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years and their three daughters, Karen Elaine Blume Feezor and husband Kevin Feezor of Charlotte, Carol Diane Blume Everhart and husband T. Kelly Everhart of Spencer, and Lara Susanne Blume Dellinger and husband Ramsey Dellinger of Hickory. He is also survived by four grandchildren and three step-grandchildren, Nolan Snyder Garrett of Durham and Peyton Samuel Garrett of Hickory; Spencer Cole Everhart of Charlotte and Anna Claire Everhart of Spencer; and Tanner McNeill Dellinger, Garon Thomas Dellinger, and Jayna Alexia Dellinger.
Survivors also include Bette Blume, sister-in-law; nieces Melissa Snyder and Kim Blume Suggs, daughter Dara and husband Jerry; nephew Steve Snyder and wife Constance and their daughters Catherine and Emily.
The family would like to offer our deepest gratitude to the caregivers who loved and cared for Dad in his last several months; Misty Elkins, Candy Atwell, Sheena Shell, Stephanie Hamlin, and Grace Brookshire. Ladies, you are our angels on earth. We also thank those at Kingston Residence who cared for him while he lived there. In addition, we offer heartfelt thanks to everyone at Trinity Ridge Senior Care Community in Hickory, NC, where Dad spent his final week. Every person there was kind and gracious, compassionately caring for him and treating him with respect and dignity. They not only ministered to him, but to us as well. And finally, we are so thankful to have had Hospice with us throughout this journey, especially Angela Herman and Angela Myers. Your assistance, knowledge, empathy and kindness are a blessing to us.
Pastor Blume was a member of New Jerusalem Lutheran Church (NALC), where on Monday, October 14, 2024, Visitation will be held at 11 a.m., followed by the Memorial service at 12 p.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to one of the following: New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2120 Startown Road, Hickory, NC 28602, or Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas, 1988 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144 or www.secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=96379. Select "Lutheran Disaster Response" and note "Hurricane Helene/Western NC" on memo line.
May 16, 1936 - October 1, 2024
The Rev. Harvey Ludwig Blume, 88, entered the Church Triumphant on October 1, 2024. He was born in Concord, North Carolina, on May 16, 1936, and was adopted as an infant by the late Fred William Blume and Mary Belle Chambers Blume.
He graduated from Concord High School in 1954, and he received an AB degree in English from Lenoir-Rhyne College in 1958. At Lenoir-Rhyne, he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity, Alpha Tau Kappa, Pi Kappa Delta, and Kappa Chi. He was in the marching band for four years, and was named to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities." He worked in the college dining hall for two years and was head waiter for one year. He was a member of the Debate Team and a participant in the South Atlantic Forensic Tournament.
On stage at L-R, he played the role of Ali Hakim in "Oklahoma!" and the role of Stosh in "Stalag 17." He was in "The Male Animal," presented in the round in Cline Gym, as well as "The Story of the Old Shoemaker," a one-act play presented to students.
As long as he could remember, his mother commented that she would like for him to become a minister. She never overdid it, but she never let him forget that she would like him to follow through on the suggestion.
"I listened, heard what she was saying, and I guess it was always on my mind," Pastor Blume once said. "Between God and my mother, the way was paved to enable me to choose the ministry."
When his brother joined the Navy, the money that their parents had saved for college expenses all went to Pastor Blume. He attended college and seminary on the $5,000 his parents had saved.
In 1961, he graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina, with a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained June 11, 1961, by the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
He married Susanne Carol Snyder on August 20, 1960. She worked as a teacher to support them during his final year of seminary. Pastor Blume served North Carolina parishes in Lincolnton (St. Luke's - Salem, 1961-1963), Lumberton (St. Mark's, 1963-1970), China Grove (St. Mark's, 1970-1991), and Hickory (Sardis, 1991-1998) until his retirement in 1998. After retirement, he served a number of congregations as interim or supply pastor.
Pastor Blume served the North Carolina Synod as chair of the Youth Committee, the Campus Ministry Committee, and the Special Committee on the Election of the President of Synod. He also served on the Synodical Stewardship Committee and the America Missions Committee. He served as president of Rowan Cooperative Christian Ministry (RCCM), now Rowan Helping Ministries, which he named. He also served as dean of the East Catawba Conference of the North Carolina Synod. In 1982, he was named Fraternalist of the Year in North Carolina, primarily for his work with Lutheran Brotherhood Branch 8142 (now Thrivent).
During his ministry, Pastor Blume did graduate work at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, and Drew University in New Jersey.
Throughout his life, Pastor Blume and his wife enjoyed taking their daughters and later on, their daughters' families, on annual trips to Myrtle Beach, as well as numerous trips to Disney World. Their frequent travel companions often included their son-in-law's parents, Diane Everhart and the late Howard Everhart. Not only were they related through their children's marriage, they were true friends.
After their daughters were grown and married and he had more time to devote to family, Pastor Blume was a devoted "Pop," and he and Susanne enthusiastically attended all of their grandchildren's activities and sporting events. In retirement, he faithfully photographed and documented his and Susanne's family trips, sports, and grandchildren, as is evidenced by the plethora of photo albums that fill many bookcases in their home.
In addition to his parents, Pastor Blume was predeceased by his brother, Harry William Blume of Concord.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years and their three daughters, Karen Elaine Blume Feezor and husband Kevin Feezor of Charlotte, Carol Diane Blume Everhart and husband T. Kelly Everhart of Spencer, and Lara Susanne Blume Dellinger and husband Ramsey Dellinger of Hickory. He is also survived by four grandchildren and three step-grandchildren, Nolan Snyder Garrett of Durham and Peyton Samuel Garrett of Hickory; Spencer Cole Everhart of Charlotte and Anna Claire Everhart of Spencer; and Tanner McNeill Dellinger, Garon Thomas Dellinger, and Jayna Alexia Dellinger.
Survivors also include Bette Blume, sister-in-law; nieces Melissa Snyder and Kim Blume Suggs, daughter Dara and husband Jerry; nephew Steve Snyder and wife Constance and their daughters Catherine and Emily.
The family would like to offer our deepest gratitude to the caregivers who loved and cared for Dad in his last several months; Misty Elkins, Candy Atwell, Sheena Shell, Stephanie Hamlin, and Grace Brookshire. Ladies, you are our angels on earth. We also thank those at Kingston Residence who cared for him while he lived there. In addition, we offer heartfelt thanks to everyone at Trinity Ridge Senior Care Community in Hickory, NC, where Dad spent his final week. Every person there was kind and gracious, compassionately caring for him and treating him with respect and dignity. They not only ministered to him, but to us as well. And finally, we are so thankful to have had Hospice with us throughout this journey, especially Angela Herman and Angela Myers. Your assistance, knowledge, empathy and kindness are a blessing to us.
Pastor Blume was a member of New Jerusalem Lutheran Church (NALC), where on Monday, October 14, 2024, Visitation will be held at 11 a.m., followed by the Memorial service at 12 p.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to one of the following: New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2120 Startown Road, Hickory, NC 28602, or Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas, 1988 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144 or www.secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=96379. Select "Lutheran Disaster Response" and note "Hurricane Helene/Western NC" on memo line.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Hickory Daily Record on Oct. 5, 2024.
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