In Memory of Robert Throne (December 15, 1941 – November 4, 2020)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Robert “Bob” Patterson Throne III, who died on November 4, 2020 at the age of 78.

Bob was born on December 15, 1941 in Syracuse, NY to Robert P. Throne and Esther C. Sheeley. He was raised in Fairmount, a semi-rural suburb of Syracuse, NY and was the eldest of three children. While in high school, he was active in lacrosse, student politics, model building, and had great interests in sports, and adventures. In 1959, he entered Auburn Community College, NY, then transferred to Geneseo State College, NY. From 1962 to 1965, he left his studies to work in the personnel department of the Carrier Air Conditioning Co., before moving on to become the supervisor of employee records at the General Electrics (GE). In 1967, he left GE to complete his bachelor’s degree.

Bob earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Syracuse University in 1967. Afterwards, he worked as a training manager at the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, LA (1967-1971), and as a manager of Agency Services at the Beneficial Standard Life Insurance Company, CA (1971-1972). He functioned as a Manager of Agency Services at the Hartford Insurance Group, CT (1972-1982) before discerning his call to ministry. In 1985, Bob graduated with his Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School.

Rev. Throne was ordained on September 25, 1985 by the UU Church of Saco & Biddeford, ME where he carried out his first ministry (1985-1987). Prior to ordination, he was student minister and R.E. Director at the United First Parish Church, Quincy, MA. Following his ministry in Maine, he was called to serve the UU Church of the Restoration, PA (1987-1994). At the Restoration congregation, he took steps for more authentic diversity, initiated a coffee house, adult RE, and hired their first DRE. He also encouraged involvement with the wider denomination. Thereafter, he ministered at the UU Church of Loudoun, VA (1995-1997); and Thomas Paine UU Fellowship, PA (1996-1998). He retired on March 31, 1998. After retirement, Bob regularly did guest sermons at the Schuylkill UU, Pottsville, PA.

Rev. Throne’s denominational affiliation included serving as Vice-President for the Liberal Ministers of the Delaware Valley (LMDV) UUMA Chapter and as a coordinator of the African American UU Congress. From 1990 to 1994, he provided his services to the JPD Leadership Development Committee. In addition, he was a member of the Hartford Unitarian Meeting house where he supported training for the pledge drive and created a social responsibility committee. He also initiated the Area Committee for Extension among the Hartford area UU congregations.

Bob was actively involved with the Boy Scout Committee at Bloomfield, CT and was Area Chairperson for the Francis Ellen Watkins Harper Celebration (1993). From 1990 to 1994, he served as Board of Trustees for the Matrix Research Inc. (nonprofit social research). Bob had immense love for people all of ages, friends, and family. For the Open Door Society of Connecticut, he chaired the statewide program of family support, and public education, headed an adoptive parents’ group for two years and was a speaker for Child and Family’s Adoption Program for five years.

In his spare time, Bob enjoyed open wheel auto racing, radio-controlled model airplanes, and liked organic gardening, camping, music, and politics. He loved writing and one of his pieces: “Hollow Souls: UU Polity and Congregational Polity” appeared in a UUMA Paper in 1994.

Bob is survived by his son, Daryn Roven, grandson Jonathan and granddaughter Sophia; his daughter Cambria Throne, granddaughter Maitlyn Smith and grandson Kareem Hill, Jr.; his son Anthony Throne; his brother Walt Throne and wife Jan; his sister Suzanne Britner and husband Neal; and by numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and dear friends. Bob was predeceased by his wife, Terry.

An online memorial service was hosted by McKinley Sims at Restoration in Philadelphia, on December 12. (Here is the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/4gFgqOEShT4)