Robert Maneese Birke died January 11, 2025, at home at age 99. The son of Andrew and Anna Freno Birke, he was born December 15, 1925, in High Point, NC, and grew up in Winston-Salem, NC.

After graduating from Gray High School in Winston-Salem, Robert served two years in the U.S. Navy. Having attended Appalachian State Teachers College for two years, he received his Bachelor of Science in Teaching degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. He trained in hospital administration and worked in South Carolina, Virginia, and Fayetteville, NC. He was the administrator of the old Highsmith-Rainey Hospital and associate director of Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Later he worked for the city of Fayetteville, retiring in 1989.

He was an active member of Haymount United Methodist Church. A member of the Barrington Bible Class, he served the church in various capacities.

Predeceased by his brother, Eugene Birke, Robert is survived by his wife of 74 years, Margaret Lantz Birke; daughters, Kathryn Birke and Amy Birke Dean (Jerry), all of Fayetteville, NC; grandson, Curtis Dean, also of Fayetteville, NC; and granddaughter, Elizabeth Dean, of Wilmington, NC; sister, Betty Ann Packler, of Holly Springs, NC; and nephew, Kevin Packler, of Wake Forest, NC.

Visitation for Robert Birke will be in the Commons Room at Haymount United Methodist Church on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 1 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary. The burial will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 1 p.m. in historic Daniels Lutheran Church Cemetery, west of Lincolnton, NC. on Reepsville Road.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Haymount United Methodist Church, 1700 Fort Bragg Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303.

Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.

Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com