# Wense Grabarek

_American politician_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/wense-grabarek
Last updated: 2026-11-08

> Robert Wensell "Wense" Grabarek was an American politician who served as mayor of Durham, North Carolina, from 1963 to 1971. Greeted upon entering office with mass civil rights demonstrations, Grabarek was credited with striking a tone of moderation. He established the "Durham Interim Committee", composed of two black and nine white members, with a mandate to "resolve and reconcile" racial differences. Over the next few months, segregation ended at most of Durham's restaurants, hotels and movie theaters, swimming pools, libraries, the chamber of commerce, and the Jaycees. Grabarek also served on the Durham City Council from 1957 to 1961.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 21 May 1919 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64747686#P569))
- **Died:** 15 December 2019 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64747686#P570))
- **Citizenship:** United States ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64747686#P27))
- **Occupation:** military personnel; politician; statutory auditor ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64747686#P106))
- **Education:** Benjamin Franklin University ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64747686#P69))
- **Positions held:** mayor (1963–1971) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64747686#P39))

## Questions

**When was Wense Grabarek born?**  
Wense Grabarek was born on 21 May 1919.

**What positions has Wense Grabarek held?**  
Positions held by Wense Grabarek include: mayor (1963–1971).

**Where did Wense Grabarek study?**  
Wense Grabarek was educated at Benjamin Franklin University.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Wense Grabarek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wense_Grabarek) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q64747686](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64747686) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Wense Grabarek, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0).

## Cite this page

"Wense Grabarek". DigiNepal. Last updated 8 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/wense-grabarek. Retrieved 8 November 2026.