Tunis Romein

Dr. Tunis Romein, 92, resident of 5754 Anderson Highway 20, died Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at Abbeville Co. Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Tunis Romein was born on March 30, 1912 near St. Anne, Illinois. In 1936, he graduated from Wheaton College in Chicago, where he excelled in four college sports. He was captain of the Wheaton basketball team and held the Wheaton pole-vaulting record for 20 years.

After graduating from Wheaton, he taught and coached at Lees College in Kentucky. While at Lees, he began graduate study for a Master's Degree at the University of Kentucky. He left teaching to join the U.S. Army from 1942-1945, where he served in the Middle Eastern and Asian Theaters. While in the Army he met Lt. Sarah C. Harris, an Army nurse. They were married in Assam, India in 1945.

While servicing in Assam, he was given a leave by the Army to make an expedition into the Naga Hills in Northern India to live with the Naga Headhunters for several weeks. He wrote his Masters thesis on his experience with the Nagas.

After the war, he taught and coached at Jackson College in Kentucky before accepting a position as Academic Dean at Mitchell College in Statesville, NC. He took a leave of absence from his position at Mitchell to finish a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Kentucky, which he received in 1953. In 1954, the university of Kentucky published his book, "Education and Responsibility," and in the years following he published many articles on theology, religion and philosophy of education.

In 1955, he became professor of Philosophy at Erskine College in Due West, where he served until 1971. He left his position at Erskine College to become a public school administrator, first at Carver Middle School, where he played a key role in that school's transition from segregation to integration, and then at Donalds Elementary School.

Dr. Romein was an active member of the Due West Associate Presbyterian Church for nearly 50 years, where he served as deacon, elder, teacher, and musician. He also served on numerous church committees as a representative of the church at Presbytery and Synod meetings. A self-taught musician, he was proficient at the piano, organ, and accordion and performed widely in the area.

After his retirement, he became founding editor of the "Due West Village Observer", a position he held for the next 20 years. In January of 2000, the town of Due West observed "Tunis Romein Day" in honor of his years of community and Christian service. His last publication was "A Village Remembered", a compilation of articles written by himself and others that appeared in the "Due West Village Observer" during his time as editor.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah C. Harris of Due West; and five children, Tunis Romein III of Charleston, Bruce Romein of Rock Hill, Mrs. Hack (Libby) Bartley of Hodges, Mrs. Mike (Vandy) Smith of Spartanburg and David Romein of Goose Creek; as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was the son of the late Harry and Elizabeth DeMik Romein.

He was a life of consistent Christian love and service, and he will be sorely missed by his family and his many friends in Due West and Abbeville County.

Memorial services will be conducted Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004 at 4:30 p.m. from Due West ARP Church with the Rev. Calvin Draffin officiating. Memorials may be made to the Due West ARP Church, 112 N. Main St., Due West, SC 29639.

THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, Abbeville, SC is in charge of arrangements.