Tag Archives: Robert Secundy

Robert L. Secundy ’56

Robert Lewis Secundy passed away September 6, 2016. He was born on June 20, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the son of Lillian May Jorgensen Secundy Lynch and Benjamin Secundy. He attended Williston Academy in Easthampton Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Magna Cum Laude with a degree in electrical engineering, 1959 and received an MBA from The Wharton School in 1961. He was in the national honorary business fraternity Beta Gamma Sigma. In 1967 he moved to Reston, a planned community in Northern Virginia, to raise his two children. In the late 1960s he was one of the founders of the Reston Black Focus, an organization created to promote black culture, lifestyle and participation in Reston. Robert was on the first line for the newly established Reston chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Zeta Upsilon Lambda in 1977. He also served on the Fairfax County Civil Service Commission. Robert began his professional career as a financial analyst for Sun Oil Company. He then served as comptroller Metrotec, Inc. Metrotec was a publication development firm that catered to federal government agencies and was owned by his friend of many years, Jack Nelson. Robert set up the accounting and financial systems of the firm and maintained the records required for federal contract reporting. He also shepherded the firm through each of its arduous biennial federal audits. He was beloved by all the staff for his sense of humor and camaraderie. Later he started his own company, Humanics in Atlanta Georgia, which provided services for Head Start programs for disadvantage children. After that he started his own computer training company. During this time he meet his wife of 29 years Cynthia Barnes. In 1988, Robert joined the American Press Institute (API) as Associate Director for Finance and Administration. He was the first minority member on their executive staff. After 17 years of service, he retired from API in 2005. Robert will forever be remembered for his unequaled dedication and generosity to his family and the way he supported and encouraged loved ones to pursue their dreams. We will cherish the memories of his leadership in the black community, his technical savvy, his playful wit, and passion for tennis. He is survived by his wife Cynthia Barnes, his daughter, Susan Secundy, his son Joel Secundy, his brothers Gerald (m. Donna Boone), Benjamin, Jr. (m. Angela Hayes), and his five grandchildren: Bianca, Lauren, Robert, Lillian, and Oliver and a host of other relatives and friends.