Randolph Edwin Abrams, former Social Security Administration exec, dies at 74

Special to the AFRORandolph Edwin Abrams, a retired executive of the Social Security Administration, died peacefully on June 14 at age 74.& Randy, as he was affectionately called, was born on Oct. 31, 1949, in Baltimore City to James Abrams Sr. and his wife, Irene Abrams (neé Barber). He was the second son in a family of five children.& Randolph E. Abrams, retired Social Security Administration executive.Randy received his early education in the Baltimore City Public Schools, graduating from Edmondson High School in 1967. He also attended Baltimore Community College, where he received statistical analysis and communications skill training.& In 1968, Randy was drafted into the United States Army and completed two years stationed in Korea before being honorably discharged. When he returned from his military service, he quickly found work at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point but was soon laid off. It was while he was laid off that a letter came that would change the course of his life, moving from a blue-collar to white-collar career and ultimately to senior executive service within the federal government. He said he could never have imagined what lay ahead for him that fateful day in 1970 when he received a letter telling...