Robert Besley Obituary

Robert K. Besley
1928 - 2016
COLUMBIA, SC - After a rich, blessed life, Robert
Kirkland Besley, known to family and friends as Bob, died peacefully on September 27, 2016 at age 88. Born to Arthur Kirkland Besley and Regina Schloer Besley in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 1928, Mr. Besley grew up in Washington and its suburbs
Mr. Besley enlisted in the Army during the latter part of World War II where he received numerous honors playing on national championship baseball teams based in Camp Lee, Virginia. Following his military service, Mr. Besley attended the University of Maryland, graduating in 1951.
After graduating from college and turning down a baseball offer from the Yankees, Mr. Besley fulfilled his lifelong dream and was sworn in as an FBI Agent in 1951. He was a Special Agent in Detroit and New York City before being transferred in 1962 by J. Edgar Hoover to FBI Headquarters in Washington to supervise Special Agents nationally for the FBI's Criminal Division. As part of his leadership role in the Criminal Division, he was associated with many noteworthy cases, including the D.B. Cooper hijacking and disappearance, the assassination of President Kennedy, the kidnappings of Patty Hearst and Barbara J. Mackle, and numerous airplane hijackings. In 1973, Mr. Besley was assigned to command positions in Columbia, South Carolina, and later in Phoenix, Arizona before concluding his FBI career as an Inspector, and then Special Agent in Charge assigned to the New York Field Office. Mr. Besley retired from the FBI in 1978 with 27 years of service.
A service celebrating Mr. Besley's life will be held at 4 o'clock, Thursday, September 29th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, with visitation to follow. A private family burial will be held in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.