Robert Dunlap Obituary

Robert Leon Dunlap N. CHARLESTON - Robert Leon Dunlap was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the 18th of September, 1930. While growing up in North Charleston, Robert attended Midland Park Elementary School and graduated from North Charleston High School. Bob has been married to Gloria Massalon Dunlap for fifty-two years. Their one son, Robert, Jr., "Bubba", is a Division Chief with Charleston County Emergency Medical Service. He was employed by Ships Service on the Naval Base until he was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1951. He was inducted into the Army at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and then sent to Fort Lee, Virginia, for Basic Training and Specialized Schooling. Robert was honorably discharged in 1953 at Fort Jackson after serving in the 3rd Infantry Division, 19th Quartermasters Battalion, and the 23rd Group in Korea. Bob worked as the manager of the Navy Exchange on the Mine Craft Base in Charleston until he started his Civil Service career with the Charleston Shipyard as a Miscellaneous Duplicating Equipment Operator. He advanced through various jobs and departments until his retirement as a General Foreman Material Handling position. During his 39 year civil service career, he received several awards to include: Naval Supply Center Employee of the Year in 1967, Supervisor of the Quarter for July - September in 1983, 12 Sustained Superior Performance Awards, 79 letters of Appreciation and had 85 Beneficial Suggestions adopted. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Navy's Meritorious Civilian Award. While maintaining this excellent work record, Bob actively served in his community in several ways. He is a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5091 and served as Post Commander from 1959-1960. Bob served as an active Volunteer Fireman for North Charleston, often working in place of the paid members so that they could have time off. In that time, not only did the volunteer firemen fight fires, they also responded to automobile accidents where victims were trapped, looked for lost children as well as lost adults, and searched for overdue boaters and drowned victims. Bob, along with sixteen other men in North Charleston petitioned the State Legislators for a Certificate of Incorporation which was granted in October of 1962 as the North Charleston Volunteer Rescue Association. The name was changed in 1973 to the Charleston County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, Inc. Even though the name has been changed, the service remains the same. The community has benefited from the concerns of Bob for 51 years. Bob was the first and only treasurer for the Rescue Squad for over 50 years. The building at Rescue Headquarters is named the Robert L. Dunlap Building. Bob's ancillary duties included transporting those fatally injured in highway and water related accidents for over two decades. In 2012 Charleston County Council honored Bob for 50 years of public service as a founding member and volunteer of the Charleston County Volunteer Rescue Squad. Some of these same dedicated men went to Columbia again and were instrumental in getting legislation passed that would require all rescue vehicles to pay only $5.00 for license plates state-wide as opposed to paying for them by the weight of the vehicle. Bob has been recognized by the West Ashley Optimist Club for Squad Member of the Year in 1989. Bob is also a Lifetime Member of the National Fire Protection Association. He served as an institutional representative and advisor to Boy Scout Troop 475 and as chairman of the Advancement Committee of the North Charleston District, Boy Scouts of America. He has worked with Civil Defense and has donated over five gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. He is a member of Hammerton Lodge A.F.M. and a member of Advent Lutheran Church. Gov. David Beasley awarded Bob the prestigious Order of the Palmetto Award in recognition of his decades of volunteer service. He was also a nominee for the Jefferson Award. His Funeral Service will be held Monday, April 21, 2014 in Advent Lutheran Church, 3347 Rivers Avenue at 10:00 a.m. Interment with military honors, Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in J. HENRY STUHR INC., NORTHWOODS CHAPEL, 2180 Greenridge Road. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston