Robert E. Pence, Pence

Robert Edward Pence, M.D.
May 25, 1927 - April 23, 2010

Robert Edward Pence, M.D., age 82, of Warren, Ohio passed away at his home Friday April 23, 2010. Dr. Pence was a prominent physician with 29 years of dedicated service at Trumbull Memorial Hospital, where he served as Chief of Pathology until his retirement in 1992. He was a resident of Warren for 47 years.

Born on May 25, 1927 in Wheeling, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Samuel Edward Pence and Elizabeth Emma Reed. Dr. Pence was a 1945 graduate of Wheeling High School in Wheeling, West Virginia. After a brief period of service as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. at the end of World War II, he went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts with honors from West Virginia University in 1950. During his college years, he excelled in both football and track and field. In addition, he became a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and received the honor of membership to the Phi Beta Kappa National Academic Honor Society.

He went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a Doctorate in Medicine in 1954. Between 1954 and 1959, Dr. Pence completed his internship and residency in Pathology at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under Dr. Philip Custer, one of the pioneers in Clinical Oncology. Pathology at the Presbyterian Hospital was unique in that clinical pathologists provided cancer therapy at the bedside, in addition to their traditional duties in Pathology. He received additional fellowship training in Hematology at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida from 1959 to 1960. Dr. Pence continued this work in Clinical Pathology over his years at Trumbull Memorial Hospital. Among Dr. Pence's professional memberships were those to The American Medical Association, the College of American Pathologists, The Trumbull County Medical Society, and The Phi Chi Medical Fraternity.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 54 years, Kathryn E. Pence; three children, Lisa Ann Thum, M.D. of Portland, Oregon, John Edward Pence of Portland, Oregon, Tara Leigh Johnson of Mableton, Georgia; and four grand children, Andrew, Eric, Glen and Lauren. Also surviving is his sister, Betty Pence Barlow of Beckley, West Virginia.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. Rather, a memorial celebration of his life will be planned for a later date. Family members suggest that any memorial contributions be made to: The American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad St., Canfield, Ohio 44406; The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, Ohio 44193-1655; or The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., 1501 N.W. 9th Ave./Bob Hope Rd., Miami, Fla. 33136-1494.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral and Cremation Services 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences to our guestbook.