Alfred Henkel

Alfred Robert “Bob” Henkel, 88, of Urbanna, Virginia, and a recent resident of Schertz, Texas, passed away peacefully at Silver Tree Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Schertz, Texas on April 13, 2022, after a period of declining health.

Bob was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Alfred H. and Corola B. Henkel. Bob moved with his family to Deltaville, Virginia in 1943 and a year later to Urbanna, Virginia, which he always considered home. He attended Middlesex County Schools, Christchurch School, and was a 1951 graduate of Middlesex High School. Bob attended Randolph-Macon College in the fall of 1951 before leaving in the spring of 1952 to go to spring training with the Cleveland Indians.

Bob married Carolyn Revere of Wake, Virginia, on March 5, 1952. His career as a professional baseball player was cut short due to an old high school football injury. Bob and Carolyn moved to Richmond, Virginia to begin a new life. Their life together was blessed with the birth of their daughter Gene, and sons Merle and Robert with homes through the years in Richmond and Danville, Virginia; Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina; and Portsmouth, Virginia before they returned to their beloved Middlesex County, Virginia in 1992.

Bob was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved his God, his Church, his family, his many friends, and the Baltimore Orioles.

Bob spent a lifetime in different financial roles. He began his career in consumer finance, then worked in mortgage banking and commercial banking. After retiring from First Virginia Bank (now Truist), Bob spent several years in part-time financial roles with Fleet Brothers and C. P. Anderson Trucking.

Bob was committed to community service throughout his life. He served in leadership roles in numerous volunteer organizations from PTA’s to community outreach. He was Chairman of the Portsmouth area Salvation Army, co-chaired community fundraising efforts, coached youth sports and led youth sports organizations.

Bob was a sports enthusiast all his life. He enjoyed cheering for local sports teams and was a fan of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. He cheered his children and grandchildren and their teams. He and Carolyn traveled all along the east coast and from Florida to Wisconsin to Texas to see them play. Bob was an avid golfer as an adult and enjoyed making many friends through golf. He served on the Board of Elizabeth Manor Country Club, Portsmouth, Virginia and was a charter member of Piankatank River Golf Club, in Hartfield, Virginia.

Bob served the Town of Urbanna in an elected role on the Town Council and later in the appointed role of Town Treasurer. Bob also served the Urbanna Oyster Festival for many years in volunteer capacities. He was a member of the Oyster Festival Foundation Board, including terms as Chairman of the Board and as Chairman of the Festival. Bob was honored as the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Festival parade.

Bob was active in the Methodist Church at the various places the family lived, serving as a Lay Leader at Monumental United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia. He and Carolyn were members of Lower United Methodist Church. Bob served for over twenty-five years as the Church Treasurer.

Bob was preceded in death by the love of his life, high school sweetheart and wife of 70 years, Carolyn R. Henkel. He is survived by his daughter, Gene H. Stocks of Virginia Beach; and sons, Merlin A. (“Merle”) Henkel of Montgomery, Alabama; and Lt. Col. (ret.) Robert R. Henkel (USAF) and his wife, Cindy, of San Antonio, Texas. Additionally, he is survived by grandsons, Brian K. Stocks, Kevin M. Stocks, David S. Henkel (Sara), Robert S. Henkel, Campbell C. Henkel (Sara), and granddaughter, Danielle N. Henkel; great-granddaughters, Emily Stocks, Ella Stocks, Peyton Henkel, and Holly Elizabeth Henkel and great-grandson, Landon Henkel; his sister-in-law, Paulette R. Mohrman and her husband, Lt. Col. (ret.) Gordon Mohrman (USAF); and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: his sister, Carola H. Ferguson, and her husband, Waverly; granddaughter Doris Revere Henkel; and one nephew.

The family thanks the staff at Silver Tree Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate care in the past two years and Methodist Hospital Northeast, Accent Care Hospice, and Kindred Hospice Group for their care in recent weeks.

A graveside service will be held at Lower United Methodist Church, Hartfield, Virginia at 10:00 AM on Saturday. May 21, 2022. A reception will follow at Piankatank River Golf Club, 6198 Stormont Road, Hartfield, Virginia, 23071.

Remembrances may be directed to the Middlesex Sports Complex, P. O. Box 55, Hartfield, Virginia 23071.

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