Robert Joseph Blumer

BLUMER Robert Joseph, 81, of Rock Hill, SC, died Sun, Feb 11, 2007. Visitation is planned for Mon evening from 7-9pm at First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP), Rock Hill, SC. Memorial services are planned for Tue, Feb 13, 10:30am at First ARP Church of Rock Hill, with Dr. J. Barry Dagenhart conducting and Dr. Robert J. Blumer Jr. assisting; and 4pm at John Knox Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC, with Dr. John Brearley conducting and Dr. Robert J. Blumer Jr. assisting. Dr. Blumer was the seventh of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sherry J. Blumer of Lexington, KY. Dr. Blumer began two years of military service in the Army Air Corp in 1943, stationed first in England with the Eighth Air Force as a tail gunner on a B-17 and later as an Army Air Corp Aviation Cadet where he trained as a fighter pilot. He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky (‘48), and Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA, (‘51). Dr. Blumer served pastorates in VA, NC, and SC, and was President of Thornwell Home for Children, Clinton, SC, from 1971-1978. Since retiring from active ministry in 1988, Dr. Blumer had served as interim pastor in fifteen Presbyterian congregations in South Carolina. Those surviving include his beloved wife of fifty-five years, Katherine Tanner Blumer of Rock Hill, five children, Robert J. Blumer Jr. and wife Patricia McCauley Blumer of Flemingsburg, KY; Sherry Anne B. Gettys and husband Dr. Richard Gettys of Greer; Frederick T. Blumer and wife Elizabeth McClure Blumer of Atlanta; Katherine (Kami) B. Thordahl and husband Jeffrey N. Thordahl of Columbia; and Philip Cole Blumer and wife Susanne Scott Blumer. Dr. Blumer had thirteen grandchildren, Robert J. Blumer, III and Hastings M. Blumer; Anne S. Gettys (deceased), Charlotte T. Gettys, Meredith M. Gettys, Jackson L. Gettys, and Henry B. Gettys; Elizabeth L. Blumer and F. Tanner Blumer Jr.; Julia Evers Thordahl and Katherine N. Thordahl; C. Colin Blumer and Annaliese K. Blumer. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to, Presbyterian Communities of SC, Post Office Box 210037 Columbia, SC 29221-0037, Tele: 803-772-5885; or Thornwell Presbyterian Home for Children, PO Box 60, Clinton, SC 29325 Tele: 864-938-2100; or, Forward-in-Faith Fund, c/o First ARP, 201 E. White St., Rock Hill, SC 29730.