Robert Joseph Blumer

ROCK HILL — Robert Joseph Blumer, 81, of Rock Hill, died Sunday, February 11, 2007. Visitation is planned for Monday evening from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP), Rock Hill, SC. Memorial services are planned for Tuesday, February 13, at 10:30 a.m. at First ARP Church of Rock Hill with Dr. J. Barry Dagenhart conducting and Dr. Robert J. Blumer, Jr. assisting; and 4:00 p.m. 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, Kentucky. 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 Virginia, North and South Carolina, 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 15 Presbyterian congregations in South Carolina.

Those surviving include his beloved wife of 55 years, Katherine Tanner Blumer of Rock Hill, five children: Robert J. Blumer, Jr. and wife, Patricia McCauley Blumer, of Flemingsburg, Kentucky; 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 13 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, P.O. Box 210037 Columbia, SC 29221-0037 Telephone: 803-772-5885; or Thornwell Presbyterian Home for Children: P.O. Box 60, Clinton, SC 29325 Telephone: 864-938-2100; or, Forward-in-Faith Fund, c/o First ARP, 201 E. White St., Rock Hill, SC 29730.

Published in the Beaufort (SC) Herald on 12 Feb. 2007.