Rev. Robert P. Bunch

Rev. Robert P. Bunch, 84, of Winston-Salem died Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was a native of Iredell County, born in Statesville on April 2, 1924, the son of the late Fred B. Bunch, Sr. and Lizzie Mae Pardue Bunch. Rev. Bunch was a minister of the United Methodist Church and a member of The Western North Carolina Conference. He began his ministry in 1953 at Bethel United Methodist Church in Hickory. His last appointment was Bethel United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. In between he served Ogburn Memorial United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem; Central United Methodist Church, Clyde; Central United Methodist Church, Denton; Forest Hill United Methodist Church, Concord; First United Methodist Church, Thomasville, Groce United Methodist Church, Asheville; and First United Methodist Church, Conover. Rev. Bunch was educated at Mitchell College in Statesville; Mars Hill College in Mars Hill; The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and graduated from Yale Divinity School in New Haven, CT in 1952. He served three years in the US Navy during World War II, much of that time on the aircraft carrier USS Monterey in the Pacific. In February, 1956 he was married to Nancy Jane Marlow of Hickory, who survives of the home. Also surviving are four children, three sons, Keith W. Bunch and wife Lisa of Greensboro, Lee Russell Bunch of Winston-Salem, Eric Andrew Bunch and wife Robin of Kernersville and one daughter Beth Sawyer and husband, Tom of Clemmons; three grandchildren, Krae Bunch, and Melissa and Sarah Sawyer, thirteen nieces and fourteen nephews. Since his retirement in 1989, Rev. and Mrs. Bunch have been affiliated with Maple Springs United Methodist Church. A Service of Celebration will be held Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Maple Springs United Methodist Church with Dr. Terry Matthews and Rev. Anne Elmore officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. A private family burial will take place in Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Yale University Divinity School, c/o Ms. Carmen Germino, Alumni Relations Office, 409 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511-2167. Checks made payable to Yale University, designating YDS52 Scholarship Fund; Maple Springs United Methodist Church, 2569 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 or Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Memorials:
Yale University Divinity School, c/o Ms. Carmen Germino, Alumni Relations Office, 409 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511-2167, Checks made payable to Yale University, designating YDS52 Scholarship Fund / //Maple Springs United Methodist Church, 2569 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 or Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Cemetery:
Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery*

Service:
Service at 02:00pm on October 16, 2008 at Maple Springs United Methodist Church