Robin Lemke

Robin Jenrich Lemke, 70, of Durham, NC passed away on September 24, 2023, after a long, courageous battle with colon cancer.

Robin was born on January 14, 1953, in Ft. Collins, Colorado to Murray and Norma Jenrich. Shortly after, the Jenrich family relocated to Sheridan, Wyoming, and would make their home there for 62 years. Growing up in Sheridan, Robin was seen by her two younger sisters and friends as a leader, welcomer and go-getter. She was active in the student council, honor society, and pep club. After graduating from Sheridan High School in 1971, Robin attended the “other” UNC, University of Northern Colorado, where she earned a degree in Deaf Education.

In 1975, a teaching position took Robin to LaCrosse, Wisconsin where she would meet her husband, Richard (Rick) Lemke, a fellow teacher. The two married on July 10, 1976. While in Lacrosse, Robin also completed her Master of Education from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

In 1983, the couple moved to Durham, NC, where Robin would continue her career in education. Robin began as a Written Language teacher for the Middle School at Hill Learning Center and subsequently served as their Middle School Level Coordinator and assisted with curriculum development. Robin would later transition to Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill and serve in several roles, including Middle School Director, Lower School Director, and Director of Student Learning and Support Services. She retired in 2019. Throughout her career, Robin was a champion of students, teachers, and educational staff. She worked tirelessly to see that each person felt supported and able to reach their full potential. Robin’s advocacy was clothed with her own playful style. Trademarks of “Mrs. Lemke” included colorful feather boas donned for the school car line and an office filled with M&M dispensers.

Robin and Rick raised two daughters in Durham, Amber and Emilie. Robin delighted in seeing her girls grow and discover their own unique passions while instilling in them a love for an underdog story and a mandate to treat everyone with dignity. She was present for nearly every field hockey and soccer game, swim meet, piano lesson, band concert, science fair, and award ceremony. Robin also loved watching Amber and Emilie become wives and mothers.

Robin was active in her church communities, The Church of the Good Shepherd and Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed being a part of various Bible studies, book studies, small groups, and committees. Her faith in the Lord was foundational, and Robin loved to share Christ’s love with others, especially through written notes and thoughtful acts.

Robin’s other love was Duke basketball. She was a devoted fan and known to celebrate Duke vs. UNC victories by driving around the block and honking the horn! Later, she and Rick were delighted to become parents to two Duke graduates.

Robin and Rick enjoyed traveling in their empty nest years. Highlights included trips to Costa Rica, New York, North Carolina beaches, Hong Kong, and Eastern Europe. In this season, they also became “fur-parents” to Bo, their beloved Havanese puppy, and grandparents to Elijah, Shiloh, Tristan, John, and Amalia. Robin cherished being “Nonnie” to her grandchildren and spending time with each of them. Robin will be dearly missed by many: her husband, Rick, of Durham, NC; daughters, Amber Wong (Didi) of Durham, NC and Emilie Miranda (Jared) of Washington, DC; sisters, Sherri Gazdik (John) of Denver, CO and Kelly Brown (Scott) of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren, Elijah Wong, Shiloh Wong and Tristan Wong of Durham, NC and John Miranda and Amalia Miranda of Washington, DC.