BLUFORD, The Rev. Dr. Robert, Jr., passed away April 30, 2022, at the age of 103. Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, June Watts Bluford; his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Bluford; and his brother, Harry M. Bluford. He is survived by his son, Robert Bluford III; daughters, Beverly Sensabaugh (Chip) and Jeanne Bluford; five grandchildren, Michelle Newcomb (T.L.), Reynolds Cowardin IV (Amy), Taylor Sensabaugh, Ashley Bluford, and Carrie Sullivan (Mike); and 11 great-grandchildren, Hannah Nash, Olivia Joyner, Samuel Bluford Joyner, Gabrielle Blystone, Miranda Cowardin, Zachary Cowardin, Mia Sensabaugh, Elizabeth Sullivan, Asher Sullivan, Anna Sullivan and Bodie Bluford.
Bob was a graduate of John Marshall High School. His education at Hampden-Sydney College was interrupted in 1942 as he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force as a B-24 pilot in WWII. He returned to complete his goal of becoming a Presbyterian minister, with post graduate work at Union Theological Seminary where he received his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Theology. He first served as Pastor to the students at VPI (now Tech) and later to churches in North and South Carolina. He served 13 years as Director of Campus Christian Life for the Presbyterian Church, U.S. He later served several churches as interim (some for multiple years) or associate pastor.
Bob was the founder of the Historic Polegreen Church Foundation and was instrumental in the development of the site from its archeological research to its current representation. He was extremely involved in historic preservation of sites in Hanover and Henrico Counties. He was also active in bringing attention to many social and cultural issues. Bob was Virginian of the Year in 2011, a prestigious award presented by the Virginia Press Association.
A memorial service will be held at Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 2605 Dumbarton Rd., Henrico, Va. on Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Historic Polegreen Church Foundation, P.O. Box 2111, Mechanicsville, Va. 23116
Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on May 8, 2022.
Bob was a graduate of John Marshall High School. His education at Hampden-Sydney College was interrupted in 1942 as he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force as a B-24 pilot in WWII. He returned to complete his goal of becoming a Presbyterian minister, with post graduate work at Union Theological Seminary where he received his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Theology. He first served as Pastor to the students at VPI (now Tech) and later to churches in North and South Carolina. He served 13 years as Director of Campus Christian Life for the Presbyterian Church, U.S. He later served several churches as interim (some for multiple years) or associate pastor.
Bob was the founder of the Historic Polegreen Church Foundation and was instrumental in the development of the site from its archeological research to its current representation. He was extremely involved in historic preservation of sites in Hanover and Henrico Counties. He was also active in bringing attention to many social and cultural issues. Bob was Virginian of the Year in 2011, a prestigious award presented by the Virginia Press Association.
A memorial service will be held at Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 2605 Dumbarton Rd., Henrico, Va. on Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Historic Polegreen Church Foundation, P.O. Box 2111, Mechanicsville, Va. 23116
Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on May 8, 2022.
BLUFORD, The Rev. Dr. Robert, Jr., passed away April 30, 2022, at the age of 103. Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, June Watts Bluford; his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Bluford; and his brother, Harry M. Bluford. He is survived by his son, Robert Bluford III; daughters, Beverly Sensabaugh (Chip) and Jeanne Bluford; five grandchildren, Michelle Newcomb (T.L.), Reynolds Cowardin IV (Amy), Taylor Sensabaugh, Ashley Bluford, and Carrie Sullivan (Mike); and 11 great-grandchildren, Hannah Nash, Olivia Joyner, Samuel Bluford Joyner, Gabrielle Blystone, Miranda Cowardin, Zachary Cowardin, Mia Sensabaugh, Elizabeth Sullivan, Asher Sullivan, Anna Sullivan and Bodie Bluford.
Bob was a graduate of John Marshall High School. His education at Hampden-Sydney College was interrupted in 1942 as he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force as a B-24 pilot in WWII. He returned to complete his goal of becoming a Presbyterian minister, with post graduate work at Union Theological Seminary where he received his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Theology. He first served as Pastor to the students at VPI (now Tech) and later to churches in North and South Carolina. He served 13 years as Director of Campus Christian Life for the Presbyterian Church, U.S. He later served several churches as interim (some for multiple years) or associate pastor.
Bob was the founder of the Historic Polegreen Church Foundation and was instrumental in the development of the site from its archeological research to its current representation. He was extremely involved in historic preservation of sites in Hanover and Henrico Counties. He was also active in bringing attention to many social and cultural issues. Bob was Virginian of the Year in 2011, a prestigious award presented by the Virginia Press Association.
A memorial service will be held at Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 2605 Dumbarton Rd., Henrico, Va. on Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Historic Polegreen Church Foundation, P.O. Box 2111, Mechanicsville, Va. 23116
Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on May 8, 2022.
Bob was a graduate of John Marshall High School. His education at Hampden-Sydney College was interrupted in 1942 as he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force as a B-24 pilot in WWII. He returned to complete his goal of becoming a Presbyterian minister, with post graduate work at Union Theological Seminary where he received his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Theology. He first served as Pastor to the students at VPI (now Tech) and later to churches in North and South Carolina. He served 13 years as Director of Campus Christian Life for the Presbyterian Church, U.S. He later served several churches as interim (some for multiple years) or associate pastor.
Bob was the founder of the Historic Polegreen Church Foundation and was instrumental in the development of the site from its archeological research to its current representation. He was extremely involved in historic preservation of sites in Hanover and Henrico Counties. He was also active in bringing attention to many social and cultural issues. Bob was Virginian of the Year in 2011, a prestigious award presented by the Virginia Press Association.
A memorial service will be held at Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 2605 Dumbarton Rd., Henrico, Va. on Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Historic Polegreen Church Foundation, P.O. Box 2111, Mechanicsville, Va. 23116
Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on May 8, 2022.
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