The Rev. Dr. Robert B. Marr

Transcription

1 The Rev. Dr. Robert B. Marr The Rev. Dr. Robert B. Marr Suffolk, VA Served in the : Air Force The Reverend Dr. Robert B. Marr, 95, died November 28, Since 2002 he had been a resident of Lake Prince Woods in Suffolk, VA. He was born in Cambridge MA, the son of the late Edward R. and Enid Burrell Marr. He was a graduate of Springfield College and Andover Newton Theological School. Elon College awarded him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in He was pastor of Suffolk Christian Church at that time affiliated with the United Church of Christ for 23 years, from 1962 through During his retirement years he served as interim pastor of a number of Eastern Virginia churches and was grateful for a continuing relationship with Oakland Christian Church. Before coming to Suffolk, he was pastor of Congregational and UCC churches in Dunbarton NH, Grafton MA, Fairport NY, and Conneaut OH. He also served on numerous local, state, and national committees of the United Church of Christ UCC. He was an active member and former president of the Suffolk Rotary Club and served on numerous civic committees and organizations, including several years as chairman of the City of Suffolk Parks and Recreation Committee. His commitment to civic service was recognized by two cities: in 1960 he was honored as Citizen of the Year of Conneaut OH, and in 1973 he was honored as Suffolk's Citizen of the Year. Robert was preceded in death by his brother Edward R. Marr, Jr., and his sisters Alice Johnson and Florence Marr. He is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Barbara Putnam Marr; sons Wayne Putnam Marr Naomi of Damascus MD and Bruce Burrell Marr of Chicago IL; daughters Lauren Marr Wood David of Middle Grove NY, Diane Marr Asiel John of New York City, and Sarah Marr of Colorado Springs CO; a brother Frederic Marr of San Diego CA; six grandchildren: Christopher Marr Summer, Adam Marr, Sarah Zaman Nadim, Glen Mathis Daria, Martin McLaughlin, and Rachel McLaughlin; great-grandchildren: Myles, Chase, and Wayde Marr, and Lyndon Zaman. Also dear to his heart are several nieces and nephews, stepgrandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren. The love and support of his family gave Bob his greatest joy, but he was also very grateful for the friendships which came from his many years of church ministry and civic activity, from tennis courts and golf courses, and from his annual summer visits to Silver Bay on Lake George NY. The residents of Lake Prince Woods have been an extended family. A celebration of Robert's life will be held Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at 2:00 PM in Suffolk Christian Church. The Rev. Dr. Woodie Rae, Rev. Michael D. Halley and Rev. Greg Ryan will officiate. Following the service, the family will greet friends at a reception in the church Fellowship Hall. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to: Lake Prince Woods Benevolence Fund, 100 Anna Goode Way, Suffolk VA 23434; Silver Bay YMCA, 87 Silver Bay Rd., Silver Bay, NY 12874; Oakland Christian Church UCC, 5641 Godwin Blvd., P.O. Box 2008, Suffolk, VA 23432; or Suffolk Christian Church, 216 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington Street, Suffolk, VA is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at

2 Funeral Home R.W. Baker & Co. Downtown Suffolk 509 W. Washington St. Suffolk, VA United States Service Wednesday, December 4, :00am Suffolk Christian Church 216 N. Main Street Suffolk, VA United States Guestbook Suffolk Christian Church Barbara and family, we all grieve with you the loss of our dear pastor and friend. God bless you and your family, from your friends at Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk Christian Church Bobby Oliver Dear Mrs. Marr and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories of Dr. Marr comfort all of you at this time and in the future as you reflect upon Dr. Marr's life and legacy. Bobby Oliver Michael O. Christensen All of Bob's UCC brothers and sisters in ministry thank God for his gracious and warm-hearted welcome and listening ear at ministerial and church meetings; a true friend lives at all times. Michael O. Christensen Dorothy Allen May This kind and gentle man has left this earthly realm. I'm honored to have known him. Dorothy Allen May rudean A grt man of God will be missed. Rudean rudean We thank God for Bob and all the good he did. We praise God for a life well lived, an example for all.

3 Tim and Helen Johnson Tim and I were looking for a church after we married 30 yrs. ago. Rev. Marr came to visit us one night after we attended church service and of course we were hooked. He just had that way of making you feel like family. He will be greatly missed. Tim and Helen Johnson Doug Ward Rev. Marr was a fine gentleman to all who will be missed. To Lauren and family, my thoughts are with you. Doug Ward Pam and Calvin Geiss To Lauren and Mrs. Marr, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and always. Dr. Marr was such a good person. I remember at the end of church when he was at the door and he looked at me and said, "God bless you." I felt that I truly had been blessed. He will be missed. Pam Eure Geiss and Calvin Geiss Pam and Calvin Geiss Wayne & Barbara Wayne & Barbara Bainbridge Barbara, We send you our love and prayers in this sad time. Wayne & Barbara EVA Clergy Mrs. Marr and Family, Our deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers are with you during this time of your loss of a faithful and godly man who not only passionately served the United Church of Christ, but who also was a servant to God's people. He will be greatly missed by the Eastern VA Association of clergy. Clergy of the Eastern VA Association Rev. Patricia Crawley-Ricks, President EVA Clergy Maury Enright Mrs. Marr, Deepest sympathy is extended to you in the loss of your husband. I read his obituary today in the VIRGINIAN-PILOT and remembered that you and I were enrolled in several Library Science classes at William and Mary in the 1960's. May God's blessings rest upon you this week and on into the future. Maury Enright

4 Jody Sinkway Oh, dear Sarah, Lauren, Diane, Barbara and all the rest of the elegant Marr family -- I am so extremely saddened to hear this news about Bob. They truly don't make them like him anymore, and probably never will again. He has made an indelible mark on my psyche and I will never, ever forget him -- especially his wicked volleys and love for tennis & Silver Bay, his smile and his laugh. What a sweet, funny, determined, insightful man he was. What a full life he led, surrounded by people who loved him dearly. I am so very, very sorry for your loss. God Bless you all, I know your hearts are broken. Jody Sinkway Shirley Richardson Fitzgerald The Richardson and Fitzgerald families send our love to the Marrs. Barbara, you know what your friendship has meant to all of us. We will miss Bob's wise counsel and remember with fondness the times our lives intersected over many years. Shirley Richardson Fitzgerald Patricia Gatling Middlebrooks Prayers for your family during this time. One relatively recent memory about Dr. Marr... seeing his question on the inside cover of Sunday's Parade magazine several years ago. That was a treat for this transplanted Texan! Patricia Gatling Middlebrooks Howie Whittum Dear Barbara, I was sorry to hear of Bob's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire Marr family. Bob was such a warm, caring, and friendly gentleman. He was always a joy to be with. I always enjoyed visiting with him at the Silver Bay tennis courts as we watched various Marr family members play doubles. With my warmest thoughts and love, Howie Whittum Howie Whittum Ervin E. Milton I am a UCC Pastor in North Carolina. I worked wiith Rev. Marr thorugh the Southern Conference UCC. My prayers are with the Family at this time and the days ahead. Ervin E. Milton

5 Sharon & Steve Wood Dear Barbara, We're so sorry to hear of your loss. We remember our visits while staying with Lauren & David in Virginia Beach, the dinners & exciting card games! and the opportunity for Steve to speak as Lincoln at Lake Prince Woods. We know that God will help you all through this difficult time. Sharon & Steve Wood Phil & Sue Flynn Wayne & Naomi, The Marr family is in our thoughts and prayers.we did not have the opportunity of knowing your father, but having his son and daughter-inlaw as friends has been a privilege. Phil & Sue Flynn Randy & Robbin Hicks Dear Barbara & Family, We were blessed to have known such as fine man. Bob was an inspiration to our family, especially the many years living across the street on Butler avenue. I looked forward to our yearly tradition of hanging the Christmas wreath high on your brick chimney. I will always remember his smiling face and hearing "Howdy neighbor". He continued that salutation to me at every Rotary meeting. He will be missed. Randy & Robbin Hicks Faye Gordon and Jim Humphrey Barbara and family, I recall the first time we met as my mother and dad hosted you for Christmas dinner in our Suffolk home. Jim and I were in Seminary and expecting our first child. We forever bonded. We send our love to you with lasting memories of your years of ministry. Faye Gordon and Jim Humphrey