Paul R. Porter

Paul R. PorterSeneca, SC     Paul Robert Porter, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on April 25, 2016. He was born in Kokomo, Indiana on February 25, 1927 to L. Otis and Mary E. (Weldy) Porter.    He is survived by his wife, Judy, and four children: Dr. Stephen (Della) Porter, West Palm Beach, FL; Eric (Ruth) Porter, Oxford, GA; Chris (Eddie) Slaven of Yorktown, IN and Kim (Patrick) Caskey of Farmland, IN; eight grandchildren: Lauren and Michael Slaven, Yorktown, IN; Jourdan, Erin and Jason Porter, West Palm Beach, FL; Briar (Andy) McIntyre, Vienna, VA; Eli Ross, Washington, DC, and Nikki (Chris) Pittman, Sandy Springs, GA; two great-grandchildren; Finn and Isla McIntyre, Vienna, VA.   Paul served in the US Navy during WWII as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3/c (Combat Aircrew) on the Aircraft Carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was also in the Marines as Sergeant Machine Gunner/Mechanic. Following the service he graduated from Ohio State University. He held a private pilot’s license for many years and flew for both business and pleasure.   He was a civic minded community leader and was involved in the following organizations: Past President of the Golden Corner (SC) Rotary Club, Past Chairman of the American Red Cross, Chairman of the Water Safety Committee; Delegate to the National Convention; Chairman of a Blood Drive and active on the Division Advisory Council; Past Community Services Council President; Instructor of Insurance at Ball State University and Muncie Redevelopment Committee 1982; Chamber of Commerce Committee work; United Way Board of Directors; Muncie Civic Theatre Board of Directors; Junior Achievement Board of Directors and YMCA Board. Paul was an Eagle Scout in Pleasantville, NJ.   Paul was a promoter of physical fitness. He would jokingly say, “I would rather break than rust.” He competed in many marathons including the Boston Marathon and one on the original route in Athens, Greece. He was co-founder of the Muncie Endurathon in 1980 (one of the first modern triathlons in the world) and was awarded the Muncie Endurathon Edmund Ball Honor in 1999. He held the position of Hawaii Ironman support staff from 1982-1984. He was a member of the United States Triathlon Board and was active in getting the sport accepted into the Olympics. In 1985, Paul represented the USA Triathlon Federation at the General Association of International Sports Federation meeting in Amsterdam. He was named one of the most influential people who shaped the sport of triathlon. In retirement, Paul biked across America with the organization Wandering Wheels of Upland, IN.  He was a Sector Coordinator for the track and field competition at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA. Always humble, Paul admitted to seldom winning races, but said his reward was the simple act of trying.    Until retirement he was a Managing Partner with Insurance & Risk Management in Muncie, IN.  He was honored with the Indiana Insurance Agent of the Year award in 1975 and the Outstanding Service to the Insurance Profession Award in 1977.     Hobbies and activities enjoyed in retirement included wood carving, traveling, history club, reading, member of Golden Corner Rotary Club, history courses at Clemson University, square dancing, running, swimming, biking and sailing. He served on the advisory board of The Brooks Center For The Performing Arts at Clemson University. Paul was a member of Seneca Presbyterian Church, Seneca, SC.   In honor of Paul’s wishes, there will be a memorial service at the Cross Roads Lutheran Church, Middletown, IN. Burial will follow at the Tomlinson Cemetery where his parents are also buried. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation For Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.    Funeral arrangements are provided by Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home.