Robert Everett Guptill

Robert E. Guptill

Clemson, SC

Robert Everett Guptill, 87, husband of Phyllis Scott Guptill died Thursday, July 26, 2012 at his home. Robert Guptill is a hero to many people. An honored World War II veteran and a Dad to three wonderful children, Bob was loved and respected by his family, friends, community and country.

Born the seventh child of Mabel and Frank Guptill, Bob attended local schools in Lawrence, Massachusetts and graduated Lawrence High School at the age of 16 in 1942. At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy and trained as a medic for the U.S. Marine Corps. He was sent to the South Pacific and was on the front lines at the battles of Saipan and Tinian. During the fighting, Bob exemplified heroism. He received the Bronze Star for heroic action, awarded for "acting as a corpsman for an adjacent unit with utter disregard for his own safety, and under heavy enemy fire, administered aid to the wounded man and got him to safety." On the way to Okinawa, his ship, the Hinsdale, was attacked by a Japanese kamikaze plane. After reaching safety Bob was sent to Boston to complete his term of service.

Bob married his sweetheart, Phyllis Scott, in October 1946. He began his formal education while working at the Pacific Mill chemistry laboratory in Lawrence, travelling to Boston for college classes three times a week and on Saturdays. He received his Bachelors Degree in Engineering and Management from Northeastern University and a diploma in Chemistry from Lincoln Technology Institute. Later, he received his Certificate as Quality Engineer from Lowell Technological Institute. He worked for thirty years at Raytheon as Manager of Quality Control and served as President of the Management Club.

Bob and Phyllis happily raised their three children in North Andover, Massachusetts. He was a loving husband and father and the family shares many happy memories. Bob was involved in several community projects, including donating time to the Lawrence Community Action Committee and as Chairman of the United Fund. He worked diligently with the Trinitarian Congregational Church as Trustee, Moderator, Deacon and Superintendent of Sunday School. Bob thoroughly enjoyed his years as member and Master of Cochichewick Lodge AF & AM. He also served there as the organist and enjoyed sixty years of playing golf with his fellow members.

Bob also loved to garden and grow plants and won a "best in show" with the North Shore Horticultural Society. After retiring to Clemson, South Carolina in 1987, he continued gardening and sharing his skillful knowledge at the Botanical Gardens in Clemson. He became a Master Gardener and volunteered time at the Botanical Gardens where he is still remembered with respect and admiration as a camellia expert. Bob also volunteered time with the After School Program at the Morrison Elementary School in Clemson and as chairman of the monthly breakfast at Clemson Downs. He was a member of the Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson.

Bob�??s family has always been the most important part of his life and now leaves, with much love, his wife, Phyllis of Clemson Downs; daughter Cynthia Desjardins (Ronald) of Coventry, RI; son, Brian Guptill (Ellen) of Coral Springs, FL; daughter Janet Macleod (Douglas) of Plymouth, MA. Grandchildren: Adam Desjardins (Kristen); Christie Praul (Josh); Scott Guptill, Jean Anderson (Michael); Shelley MacLeod (Jamie) and three great grandchildren: Autumn and William Praul and Kelly Anderson.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 4, 2012, 11 am at the Activity Center of the Clemson Downs, Clemson, SC. Memorials in his honor may be sent to Hospice of the Foothills, 390 Keowee School Road, Seneca, SC 29672, Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, 399 College Ave., Clemson, SC 29631 or Cochichewick Lodge, Johnson St., North Andover, MA 01845

Condolences may be expressed on line at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons.