Obituary of Robert J. Rumsey

Robert Jackson Rumsey, 86, resident of Lantern Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Coralville, Iowa, died of complications of Parkinson’s disease on June 22, 2004, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. He was born May 29, 1918 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, the son of Leland and Juanita Jackson Rumsey. He was a graduate of University of Wisconsin and Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York. He was a recorded minister of the Religious Society of Friends and served as a pastor in Quaker meetings in Canandaigua and Glens Falls, New York. During 1953-62 he served in Wilmington, Ohio, as the executive secretary of Wilmington Yearly Meeting. In 1962, he moved to Portland, Oregon, where he was the executive secretary for the American Friends Service committee. From 1967 until his retirement in 1983, he was the Midwest secretary for the Friends World Committee. His wife of 54 years, Margaret Townsend Rumsey, died in 2000. His sister Bettie Rumsey Reid also predeceased him. Mr. Rumsey was an avid reader, a lover of music, and in his younger days a fine singer, who regularly soloed at church services and weddings. He was devoted to the cause of peace and justice throughout the world. During World War II, his faith led him to be a conscientious objector; he spent time in prison because he refused to report for military duty and then did alternative service with Civilian Public Service. Bob always enjoyed a good story or joke and had an infectious laugh. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Eric and Christine Rumsey of Iowa City, Iowa, and Alan Rumsey and Francesca Merlan of Canberra, Australia, and a daughter and son-in–law, Gaye and Gary Rumsey-Riggs of Portland, Oregon. He enjoyed his seven grandchildren, Brian, Hannah, James, David, Jesse, Heather and Graham. He also leaves several nieces and nephews. A memorial service, celebrating his life, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 18, 2004, at Plainfield Friends Meeting, Plainfield, Indiana. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, Bob’s life and ideals might be perpetuated through gifts to: Friends World Committee @ 1506 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 or Parkinson's Disease Foundation @ 710 West 168th Street, New York NY 10032 Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is handling local arrangements.