Robert Roy Kramer of Mars Hill, NC died September 3rd peacefully in the company of his family at the age of 74.
Bob was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania and grew up there. He attended Mississippi State University where he met his wife Connie. Bob began teaching German and film classes at Mars Hill College in 1965 and retired after teaching 42 years there in 2007. During his time at Mars Hill, he was chairman of the college’s visiting artists and lecture series for many years recruiting prestigious artists to the region. He loved his roles in SART Theater and he loved participating on the college football coaching staff for many years. Bob, known affectionately as Herr Kramer, was a recipient of 3 Fulbright scholarship awards while a professor at Mars Hill. He had a wonderful influence on many young men and women during his years as an educator.
Bob loved classic movies, the arts and Southern gospel music. He had wanderlust and a true adventurous spirit to travel the world. His travels included taking college student educational groups abroad. In his later years, he enjoyed taking pleasure cruises seeing the world with Connie. He loved sharing corny jokes and lengthy complicated German words with his grandchildren in “Opa Times,” a newsletter he sent to them. Having grown up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, he was a lifelong Steelers fan and loved all sports.
He was preceded in death by his mother and close friend, Doris P. Kramer, and his father, Robert G. Kramer.
Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Connie Noblin Kramer, two sons, Keith Kramer and his wife Paige of Kingsport, TN; Kris Kramer and his wife Caroline of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; seven grandchildren - Kellis, Andrew, Chloé, Ben, Calum, Kiah and Katherine.
A memorial service will be held at Mars Hill United Methodist Church on Monday, September 7 at 11:00AM with Rev. Phyllis Glahn, officiating.
Those who wish may remember him with a contribution to the Mars Hill United Methodist Church Memorial Garden.