Robert Marian Pitzer
July 16, 1930 ~ January 29, 2008
Resided in:
Fairview, NC
The Reverend Dr. Robert M. Pitzer went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 29, 2008.
Born July 16, 1930 in Louisville, Kentucky to parents Glen Hudson and Harry E. Pitzer. He graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1951, and then received a Masters in Theology from Perkins School of Theology in 1954.
He began his service for the Lord as Associate Pastor at First Methodist Church in Victoria, Texas, before assuming the role of Pastor at First Methodist Church in Charlotte, Texas and then becoming the Founding Pastor at St. Matthews Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas. He spent six years as Director of Public Relations and Development for the Methodist Mission Home of Texas in San Antonio.
The Rev. Dr. Pitzer dedicated 30 years of his life as the Executive Director of SEMAR, Inc., the Southeastern United Methodist Agency for Rehabilitation, Inc. SEMAR moved its offices from Atlanta, GA to Lake Junaluska, NC in 1987. In his 30 years as the Director of SEMAR, he was an innovator and advocate for ministries and services for persons with disabilities. A recipient of numerous awards during his tenure at SEMAR, Dr. Pitzer received the Administrator of the Year award from the National Association of Health and Welfare Ministries in 1976. Dr. Pitzer retired from SEMAR in 1999 and has continued to call Asheville his home.
The Rev. Dr. Pitzer is preceded in death by his parents, and he is survived by his son, R. Mark Pitzer and his wife Dennie of Dallas, Texas and Grandchildren Austin and Alison Pitzer also of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his close friend and companion of many years, Mary McGlauflin and her daughter Erin, of Asheville, NC.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on February 1, 2008, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 87 Old Airport Rd, Fletcher, NC. A reception will follow immediately after the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to SEMAR, P.O. Box 128, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745, Four Seasons Hospice Pallative Care, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731.
The family would like to thank all of the staff at Fleshers Fairview Nursing Home and the Elizabeth House Hospice Center for their loving care and support.
Well done good and faithful servant!
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Peace and grace. Bob is now at rest and in God’s loving arms.
Bob was one of my dearest friends and boss of seven years. He stood beside me when I was going through the most difficult time of my life in the loss of my husband. Bob always supported me and gave me strength through his dedication to our heavenly father. Bob was devoted to the Lord, his family and his work with SEMAR. He will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace!
Bob & I were good friends at Lake Junaluska. I lost 2 parents during our friendship and he was there for me.I will never forget him and his kindness to me.
Linda
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. We enjoyed having Bob at the Assisted Living.
Our thoughts and prayers are out for the Pitzer family. Bob was a great, devoted man. We can all rejoice in his life and knowing that he is home with his savior, Jesus Christ.
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Mark’s dad, but know he is in a much better, indeed wonderful, place. You are in our hearts and prayers.
Mark, Dennie, Austin and Alison, we grieve with you in your loss. We will remember with fondness the family gatherings in Dallas. He will be missed.
Mark, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I cannot begin to comprehend your loss, but rest assured that you, Dennie, and the kids are in my thoughts and prayers.
It was a pleasure taking care of Mr. Pitzer while he was at Flesher’s
Mark, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Dennie, Austin and Allison on the passing of your father. His Lord has him in His grip now and he is in the place of his great reward. Peace be with you all as it is now with him. PS 23 ‘The Lord is my shepherd…..’
Mark & Dennie, Austin and Alison,
We will all remember the special times spent with Grandpa Pitzer during his Dallas visits over the Christmas holiday. He loved you all so much and his joy was evident in his smile when he was with you.
Take comfort knowing that we will see him again in our Fathers house.
Although not there in person, my thoughts and prayers are with you this Friday morning as you put Robert to rest.
God bless you, Grandpa Pitzer. We will miss you.
You know our prayers and love are with you at this time. As I think back on the early years of Bob’s ministry I remember a brilliant young preacher who delivered wonderful sermons, was dedicated to the Lord and would rock his baby son to sleep before Sunday evening services. He leaves a shining legacy in you, Mark. Be proud. He is.
What a precious soul…so thinking about you, Dennie, Austin, and Alison. Know that we love you,
Martha
What an honor to say that your life was devoted to serving our Lord! Rev. Pitzer was always very kind to me, but his greatest gift to all of us in Texas was raising one of the greatest sons of all time: Mark. Mark is truly an amazing, wonderful guy who has blessed all of those lucky enough to be his friend. What a legacy!
Mark – While mourning I hope you will also celebrate:
– a legacy passed to you, Austin and Allison and someday many grandchildren.
– a seed which took soil and grew in you.
– your capacity to care for your father which will visit you again.
– a host of saints 1 stronger.
God bless and our prayers are with you today. Love, Dan, Mac and Awol.
Mark,
I know how hard it is to lose a parent and my prayers are with you today. What a blessing it is to know that you WILL see him again in Heaven. I know he was proud of you!
Mark, Dennie, Austin and Alison,
Our prayers have your names on them! We pray that you will feel God’s loving arms wrapping around you and holding you tight…
We love you,
Sarah, Gary, Emily, Cilla and John
Mark,
Your father certainly was an accomplished man! Our thoughts are with you and your family today.
Love,
Blair
Dear Mark & Dennie, Alison and Austin,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss of Bob. He was an outstanding and dedicated Christian who lived a life of service. I remember your early years, Mark, when your uncle, Bob Dalchau, and I came to visit, we all would have such fun and your dad was always so proud of you and all of the things you had been doing.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers have been with you!
With all our love,
Betty and John Kidwell
Mark,
We loved reading about your father and his amazing life. His was truly a life well lived and shared. You all must be so proud of him and the legacy of good works that he leaves behind. We’ve been thinking about all of you today. Hugs to you, Dennie, Austin and Alison
Mark and Dennie,
Of course our thoughts and prayers are with you. I didn’t realize that your dad was involved in the ministry for so long. The write up was great and it sounds like your dad lived a very full life. Love to you both ~ Devin (and David)
My Prayers go out to the friends and family of Reverend Pitzer. He was a kind and gentle soul.
Mark, Dennie, Allison and Austin –
love and blessings.
xoxo
-k
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time of grreat loss.
Love to all
Bob and I worked very close together, first while he created SEMAR in Atlanta and later at a national level in Texas.
Bob was an extraordinary person who filed my life with faith and vision. I am sorry to be so late in acknowledging his many accomplishments.