Frederick Griffith Bahr

Frederick Griffith Bahr, a New Kent County Board of Supervisor member from 1996-2000, passed away peacefully at his home in Lanexa, VA, on Sept. 12, 2018 after a six-month battle with cancer.

Frederick was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Mary Fairfax Griffith of Warsaw, Virginia, and Frederick Charles Bahr, of New York City. The family moved to Detroit, Michigan, in 1933. Bahr attended Andover Prep School and received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University where he played football and boxed, earning the nickname “Fearless Fred.”

Frederick married Robin Louise Renfrew of Birmingham, Michigan, in 1954 and had three children. After receiving a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1954, Bahr served in the United States Marine Corps and later returned to Birmingham to practice law. He moved to the Williamsburg area in 1986 and met his second wife, Jane Krieger Rhode, after placing an ad in the local paper seeking a squash partner. They were married in 1990, and together raised and rescued dozens of goats, dogs, cats, and chickens.

Frederick is remembered as an unbeatable chess player and lover of history, especially the Civil and Revolutionary War eras. A lover of music and an accomplished tenor, he sang and taught his children drinking songs, including many from the Tom Lehrer canon, and a personal favorite, “They’re Moving Father’s Grave to Build a Sewer.” He sang in several choirs including St. Peter’s Episcopal in New Kent, Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, and the Williamsburg a cappella group “The Dukes of Gloucester.” Frederick was an active volunteer with the New Kent Literacy Program which included classes at Henrico County correctional facilities.

Frederick is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife, Jane; sister, Jean Waltrip of Rocky Mount, Virginia; daughters, Robin and Rebecca, both of New York City; son, Fax of Los Angeles, California; stepsons, Jud Rhode of La Jolla, California and Alex Rhode, of Seattle, Washington; and six grandchildren, Emily, Anna, Will, John Charles, Nora, and Benjamin.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2 p.m., at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, in New Kent. Interment will be at Yeocomico Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Kent County Animal Shelter, c/o New Kent Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 186, New Kent, VA, 23124, or Yeocomico Episcopal Church, Cople Parish, P.O. Box 249, Kinsale, VA, 22488. Tributes may be posted at www.vincentfh.com.