Robert Luther Renfrew

Robert was born October 7, 1922, in Clairton, PA. He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, James O. and Margaret Renfrew. Surviving family members include his spouse of 57 years, Barbara F. Renfrew; son the Rev. James R. Renfrew and wife Robin Dunnington, of Holley, NY; daughters Betsy L. Renfrew and husband Andrew Young , of Greensboro; and Tina and husband Tim Helble of Columbia, MD; grand-children Roberto Renfrew-Marquez, Sean Kelley and Shamus Kelley; great-granddaughter Ellieanna Renfrew; nephews: J. William Renfrew, William Bigwood, Donald Fink and nieces: Susan Frech, Gail Wehrbach, Susan Hillel, Nancy Swanson, and Linda Michalak.

Robert served with the Army in the Pacific during World War II, and was one of the last veterans to return home in 1946. He was on the team at IBM that first demonstrated the transmission of data through telephone lines. After a long career at IBM, he spent thirty years as a mentor to first-time offenders and was a volunteer in jail chaplaincy even as he became legally blind. He set up an after school program in the neighborhood church. He was a long time Presbyterian Church Elder and dedicated church volunteer. Robert was awarded the honor of being the Volunteer of the Year 2000 by the North Carolina Department of Correction, Division of Prisons.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 20, 2010, at Springmoor Auditorium, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh.

Memorial contributions may be made to the After School Children’s Program at St. Giles Presbyterian Church, 5101 Oak Park Rd, Raleigh, 27612, or Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Rd, Raleigh, 27615. Condolences may be sent to www.brownwynne.com.