The Rev. Dr. Robert E. McCollum, 85, of Newberry died June 3, 2024 surrounded by his family.
Born on December 15, 1938 in Chester, SC, he was a son of the late Thomas W., Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Fennell McCollum.
Throughout his life, Bob was a man of service. He graduated Chester High School and then Erskine College and worked as the administrator for Chester County Hospital and Nursing Center for many years. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Bob felt called to change vocations, and received his Masters of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, and later his Doctorate of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary. Throughout his 49 years in the ministry, Pastor McCollum served as Pastor at Summer Memorial Lutheran Church, Chester/York Lutheran Parish, St. Thomas Lutheran Church, and Silverstreet Lutheran Church and as interim Pastor at Mayer Memorial, St. John Lutheran Church, and Bethany Lutheran Church. He was active in church groups, and received four Honorary Life Membership in the Lutheran Men in Missions. He loved music and was a member of the Silverstreet Inspirations Quartet singing at various churches throughout Newberry County.
He was a graduate of the US Army Chaplain Center and School and served as the Chaplain of the SC. Army National Guard and the City of Newberry Fire Department.
He was active in his community and was a former member of many organizations including the Newberry Kiwanis Club and the Lowman Home Board of Trustees and was an honorary member of the City of Newberry Fire Department. He served as a Chester County Rescue Squad Training Officer and received Chester Rescue Man of the Year in 1970.
Pastor McCollum, Bob, was a man of character and service. He dealt with things head on, even when it was tough. He was genuine and honest and when you needed him, he always showed up. He became a mentor and set the standard for many who later pursued the calling to ministry. He loved his family and friends dearly, he loved those whom he pastored, and he never lost his “sense of the call.”
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Linda G. McCollum; sons, Samuel Eugene McCollum and Charles L. Livingston; and four grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Billie Ann McCollum; infant daughter, Cynthia E. McCollum, son, Robert Delano McCollum; and brother, Billy McCollum.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 3 pm at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, Friday prior to the service, in the Family Life Center at the church.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or www.stjude.org/donate .
