Robert William Helfrich

Helfrich, Robert William of Hingham, passed away on January 21, 2014 at Harbor House in Hingham at the age of 83.

He was born in East Liverpool, Ohio to Russell and Elva Helfrich and spent his earlier years there. Mr. Helfrich was an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Vice President for Student Development at Eastern Nazarene College and Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Curry College, Gordon College and Quincy College. He retired from Eastern Nazarene College in 1982 and entered private practice in psychology until 1995. In 1995 he became a program director for the Quincy Health Department where he served until fully retiring in 2002. For many years he was an ordained minister in the Churches of the Nazarene and pastored church’s in Ohio, CT , MA and MI. 

Mr. Helfrich was a veteran of the Korean War serving his country in the U.S. Army from 1949 until 1953 when he was honorably discharged as Batallion Sergeant Major. A graduate of Eastern Nazarene College and Boston University, he did post graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin and Harvard University. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 30 years Theodora Thompson Helfrich of Hingham, three sons Gary and his wife Wendy of Quincy, Stephen of Nashua, NH, Michael and his wife Kim of Quincy, his foster daughter Uyen Le Kry and her husband Chinam Kry of CA, his six loving grandchildren, Zachary & Joshua Helfrich, Aleashia and Kaylee Helfrich, Ashlee Helfrich and Elinor Kry, his sister Joanna Hackathorn and her husband Ron of Alabama, his sister -in- law Lois Helfrich of Ohio and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his beloved daughters Marsha Helfrich and Kaye Helfrich Petersen and by his brother Rev. Russell Helfrich of Ohio. 

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 25 at 11am at North Street Community Church of the Nazarene, 235 North Street, Hingham. Visiting hours will held on Friday, January 24 from 4-8pm in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald Street, ( Off Central St. )  Hingham. Burial in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne on Monday, Jan. 27 at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Helfrich may be made to the Psychology and/ or Religion Departments at Eastern Nazarene College, for student scholarships,  23 East Elm Avenue, Quincy, MA 02170.