Randolph John Senzig

Randolph John Senzig, affectionately known as Randy, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the age of 79. Randy was born on May 8, 1947 in Jacksonville, Florida, to the late Melvin and Emelene Senzig.

Randy is survived by his wife, Iris Johnson Senzig; his son, Randolph John Senzig Jr. (John) (Susan Lewis Hicks); his daughter, Jennifer Senzig Longueira (Philip Michael Longueira); and his sister, Debi Senzig Castle (Jim Castle). He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren:

Hailey Nicole Senzig (Aaron Stewart), Chandler Brooke Senzig, Nicholas Michael Senzig Longueira, Jake Christopher Longueira, and Anna Kathryn Longueira. The extended family includes his nieces and nephews and their families: Philip Kiracofe Jr (Adri Kiracofe, Aria Kiracofe and Fynley Kiracofe), Anna Delker (David Delker, Lucas Delker, Blake Delker), and Andrew Kiracofe (Asha Tabat Kiracofe, Alexander Kiracofe, Anderson Kiracofe). Randy was preceded in death by his godson, Walker Randy Conway of Valdosta, Georgia; son of Jerry and Jerri Conway.

A lifelong learner and passionate educator, Randy graduated from Valdosta State College in 1970 with a B.S. in Secondary Education and later earned his Masters of Education in Special Education from the University of North Florida in 1984. His Graduate Research Project entitled

"Right vs. Left Brain Thinking" was selected as No. 1. Randy was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) social fraternity. In the 1970s he attended Wake Forest Seminary studying ministry. He became a Licensed Minister in the Baptist Church serving as a Nursing Home minister. His teaching career spanned more than 27 years, he deeply impacted the lives of countless students. Randy was awarded Teacher of the Year status 4 times, and he wrote the Environmental Science Curriculum adopted in Florida in 1986 and in North Carolina 1993. He taught for Wake County Public Schools from 1991 to 2012, where he served as the Science Department Chair and led numerous environmental initiatives. His NC Envirothon teams competed several years regionally enjoying camping and environmental challenges. Randy served as Key Club Adviser for 21 Years at Fuquay-Varina High School.

Randy was dedicated to providing his students with opportunities to reconnect with the Earth. He engaged them in hands-on conservation efforts, including working in a community organic garden, maintaining a 37-nest box trail for bluebirds, and participating in Big Sweep stream cleanups. Through his work with the GTE Fellowship and the NCSU Kenan Fellowship, he spearheaded campus outdoor classroom projects that resulted in the planting of over 600 trees.

He also organized and conducted environmental science day camps for middle schoolers at NC State University for five years. In his later career, Randy served as the President and Executive Director of the Center for Human-Earth Restoration (CHER), a place-based nature education program designed to help participants develop a lasting environmental ethic. The Neighborhood Ecology Corps (2014-2019) began with a class of 21 students who were introduced to the outdoors right in their community. NEC took trips to mountains and seashores, canoeing and camping and introducing them to the wonders of their natural world.

His exceptional dedication to teaching and conservation was widely recognized by his community. His numerous accolades included being named the North Carolina Environmental Educator of the Year in 2006, the North Carolina State District Science Teacher of the Year in 2005, and the Unsung Hero Teacher of the Year by the Southern Black Churches League in 2010.

In 2002 the Senzig Family in Raleigh lost Emelene Senzig, mother of Randy and Debi. As a tribute to her life Randy purchased 12 tricycles at Christmas and donated them to Helping Hand Mission in Raleigh. The entire family decided to donate tricycles each year and thus began Emelene's Christmas Trikes. Each Senzig asked friends to donate money to purchase trikes.

Over 12 years, more than a thousand tricycles brightened Christmases not only in Wake County but in other states as well.

His hobbies included hiking, journaling, fishing, and camping especially with his grandchildren.

He was instrumental in the development of the Meditation Path in 2019 and a Walking in Grace initiative at Saint Andrews United Methodist Church which continues today.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Walnut Creek Wetlands Center in Raleigh NC: https://www.walnutcreekwetlandcenter.org/

The Aldo Leopold Foundation in Baraboo, WI: https://www.aldoleopold.org/

Green Mountain Monastery in Greenville, VT: https://greenmountainmonastery.org/

Saint Andrews United Methodist Church in Garner, NC: https://www.saintandrewsumc.org/

North Carolina Bluebird Society in Raleigh NC: https://www.ncbluebird.org/

The Senzig Family plans to plant a white oak tree in memory of Randy. Please plant a tree in your community or yard and we would love to know.