Robert Churn

Robert Gordon Churn, 83, a life long Petersburg native, died on March 19, 2009. Robert â??Bobbyâ? Churn graduated from Petersburg High School and joined the Marine Corps during World War II where he served in Okinawa and China. When he returned he attended Randolph Macon College where he was an all state baseball player and was awarded an outstanding Alumnus Award. He later received a Masterâ??s Degree from U.V.A. Mr. Churn began his teaching career in Waverly, VA and then returned to Petersburg where he was teacher, coach, athletic director, and assistant principal for 18 years at Petersburg High School. He then became principal of Dinwiddie High School and later joined the staff of Richard Bland College where he served for 14 years as Dean of Student Services. He was a devoted educator who always loved â??his kids.â? Mr. Churn was an Elder of the Second Presbyterian Church, a Rotarian, and member and past CEO of the Petersburg/Colonial Heights SPCA. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha Woods Churn; a daughter, Carolyn Brown and her husband, Phil; two grandsons, Tyler and Jonathan Kirks; a niece, Paige Cowan and her husband, Don of Atlanta; a nephew, Sherwood Wynne Churn, III and his wife, Carole Ann and several other nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Sally W. Phillips and a devoted care-giver, Katherine Moore. There will be a memorial service at 2 pm on Monday, March 23, 2009 at Second Presbyterian Church, Washington Street, with a reception following the service at the church. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Petersburg/Colonial Heights SPCA, 201 Temple Avenue Colonial Heights, VA 23834, or to the Robert G. Churn Scholarship Fund at Richard Bland College. The Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .