Robert Joel Blum

Born in Elizabeth, NJ, to Lester and Fanny Blum, on December 15, 1934, Bob’s early years were shaped by the effects on his family of The Great Depression. His father moved the family to Memphis, TN, to take advantage of a better job opportunity, and Bob and his sister Carole came of age in the small Jewish community there. He graduated from Vanderbilt University, then went on to earn a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1959. That same year, he began a 27-year career with the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as an attorney and judge in various locales, including 2 tours in Vietnam. While on duty in Iwakuni, Japan, Bob met the love of his life, Mari Morita. They married and had two beautiful children, David and Karen. He served as Chair of the School Board while the children were in school at Camp LeJeune.

After 27 years of service in the Marine Corps, Bob retired as a Colonel in 1987 and moved his family to Cary. He then started a new chapter in the NC Attorney General’s Office. He retired as a Special Deputy Attorney General in 2011, receiving The Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the Governor of NC for his incredible 52 years of public service.

In addition to serving his country, state, and community throughout his professional life, Bob was deeply devoted to his family. He had a close relationship with his sister and often spoke of her accomplishments. He doted on his wife and children, and later in life, his grandchild, Silas. Bob enjoyed traveling to Kyoto, Japan to visit his stepdaughter, Mayumi, her husband, Nobu, their daughter, Hitomi, and her son, Shunsuke. He was a loving uncle to his sister’s children. He was beloved by numerous other cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Bob played golf, enjoyed music, liked to watch old movies, and never missed a Carolina football or basketball game. He watched the news and loved to talk about politics and current events. He never met a steak, burger, or pastrami and corned beef sandwich that he didn’t love, and he defied his doctors’ nutrition advice by eating chocolate ice cream every day for many years. These are but a few of the endearing things his family will remember about him. There are many more.

A burial service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 6, at the Jewish Hebrew Cemetery in Raleigh. The family will receive friends and sit Shiva after the service, at the home of Dave and Crystal Blum, at 5604 Millrace Tr. in Raleigh, culminating in a prayer service at 7:30 pm. The family requests that anyone wishing to make a donation do so to Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh, NC, or Toys for Tots.

Semper Fi.