1915
Joseph
2012
Joseph P. Rostron
December 10, 1915 — December 19, 2012
Joseph P. Rostron
Clemson, SC
Joseph Prugh Rostron of Clemson, SC, passed away on December 19, 2012, at the age of 97.
He was born on Dec. 10, 1915, in Sidney, OH. While working at the Charleston Navy Yard during World War II, Joe met and married Frances Ward. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this past June.
Joe earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from SMU in 1941, and an M.S. from Clemson University in 1956, and went on to become a Professor of Civil Engineering at Clemson for 31 years. His primary focus was highway research, surveying and aerial photography. After retiring from the Clemson faculty, he continued to work as a Subject Matter Expert for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying until 1991.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of Clemson since 1946. Joe loved music and served in church choirs for over 60 years. He also loved delivering Meals on Wheels, and did so until around age 92.
Joe's greatest passion, outside the field of civil engineering, was flying. He received his pilot's license in 1942, and flew until age 90, logging more than 3,500 hours. As a pilot he was involved in aerial photography, was a member of the SC Civil Air Patrol, and flew all over the country in his Cessna 120. He took great delight in taking children on their first flight. He made an incredible number of friends in the nationwide small-aircraft flying community.
In addition to flying, Joe was a longtime amateur radio operator and an avid electrical/mechanical handyman/inventor. He enjoyed traveling and had a deep love for nature photography, one of his great legacies to his family. His other great legacy was his passion for classical music, particularly orchestral and piano music. Whether attending live concerts or hearing recordings that he piped throughout the house, music was always a big part of the Rostron household. He loved meeting new people wherever he visited, and he kept these new friendships throughout his life. He particularly loved sharing stories and funny anecdotes. He also had an intense curiosity and fascination about many things. Loyal, not one to ever complain, dependable, constant: a remarkable family man.
He was son of the late Charles and Edith Rostron, and brother of the late Virginia Ketterman, Richard Rostron, and James Rostron. He is survived by his wife, Frances Elizabeth Ward Rostron; his daughters, Carol Lawter (Tommy) of Clemson, Charlotte Christian (Stan) of Quitman, GA, Peggy Rostron of Phoenix, AZ, and Pat Rostron of Raleigh, NC; his son, Bill Rostron (Elaine) of West Union; his grandchildren, David Manos of West Union, Merrit Manos Spencer (Billy) of Austin, TX, Stephany C. Norris (Stephen) of Savannah, GA, Todd Christian (Lisa) and Karen C. Long (Chris) of Charleston, Rebecca Rostron of Inman, Sharon R. Black (Ben) of Auburn, GA, Will Rostron of Pelzer, and Marie Rostron of West Union; and 13 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Clemson, on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at 2:00 PM.
The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00PM to 2:00PM.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Clemson First Baptist Church.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home.
Clemson, SC
Joseph Prugh Rostron of Clemson, SC, passed away on December 19, 2012, at the age of 97.
He was born on Dec. 10, 1915, in Sidney, OH. While working at the Charleston Navy Yard during World War II, Joe met and married Frances Ward. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this past June.
Joe earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from SMU in 1941, and an M.S. from Clemson University in 1956, and went on to become a Professor of Civil Engineering at Clemson for 31 years. His primary focus was highway research, surveying and aerial photography. After retiring from the Clemson faculty, he continued to work as a Subject Matter Expert for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying until 1991.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of Clemson since 1946. Joe loved music and served in church choirs for over 60 years. He also loved delivering Meals on Wheels, and did so until around age 92.
Joe's greatest passion, outside the field of civil engineering, was flying. He received his pilot's license in 1942, and flew until age 90, logging more than 3,500 hours. As a pilot he was involved in aerial photography, was a member of the SC Civil Air Patrol, and flew all over the country in his Cessna 120. He took great delight in taking children on their first flight. He made an incredible number of friends in the nationwide small-aircraft flying community.
In addition to flying, Joe was a longtime amateur radio operator and an avid electrical/mechanical handyman/inventor. He enjoyed traveling and had a deep love for nature photography, one of his great legacies to his family. His other great legacy was his passion for classical music, particularly orchestral and piano music. Whether attending live concerts or hearing recordings that he piped throughout the house, music was always a big part of the Rostron household. He loved meeting new people wherever he visited, and he kept these new friendships throughout his life. He particularly loved sharing stories and funny anecdotes. He also had an intense curiosity and fascination about many things. Loyal, not one to ever complain, dependable, constant: a remarkable family man.
He was son of the late Charles and Edith Rostron, and brother of the late Virginia Ketterman, Richard Rostron, and James Rostron. He is survived by his wife, Frances Elizabeth Ward Rostron; his daughters, Carol Lawter (Tommy) of Clemson, Charlotte Christian (Stan) of Quitman, GA, Peggy Rostron of Phoenix, AZ, and Pat Rostron of Raleigh, NC; his son, Bill Rostron (Elaine) of West Union; his grandchildren, David Manos of West Union, Merrit Manos Spencer (Billy) of Austin, TX, Stephany C. Norris (Stephen) of Savannah, GA, Todd Christian (Lisa) and Karen C. Long (Chris) of Charleston, Rebecca Rostron of Inman, Sharon R. Black (Ben) of Auburn, GA, Will Rostron of Pelzer, and Marie Rostron of West Union; and 13 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Clemson, on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at 2:00 PM.
The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00PM to 2:00PM.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Clemson First Baptist Church.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph P. Rostron, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 6
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors