Robert Putnam Obituary

PUTNAM, Robert Robert Joseph Putnam of Mars Hill Retirement Community passed away Monday morning, February 6, 2006. He was 91 years of age. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa on December 10, 1914, and was the son of the late Charles A. Putnam and Nellie Josephine Putnam. Col. Putnam had one brother and three sisters, and was reared in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a Degree in Business Administration on a full golf scholarship. He was President of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Phi Epsilon Phi, and Adelphi Debating Society. Colonel Putnam graduated in 1937, Magnum cum Laude. After graduation Col. Putnam worked for General Electric, and then served with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was awarded by the President of the United States, the Silver Star Medal Citation with Clasp for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. He was noted for being the youngest Marine Corps Colonel in the history of the United States Marine Corps at the age of 31. Colonel Putnam also received 15 combat and service ribbons, two Presidential Citations, and a Purple Heart. Colonel Putnam was discharged from the Marine Corps for combat disabilities in April 1946. He moved to Asheville, NC in 1946 where he was Assistant Manager of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce from drawing up an Economic Survey of Western North Carolina, working directly for the late Arthur Miles Jones. From 1947 through 1951 he was the Commercial Manager for White Transportation Company in Asheville and Raleigh, NC. Colonel Putnam was employed in Industrial and Community Relations for Mr. Rueben Robertson, Sr., founder of Champion Paper and Fiber Company. He was employed by Champion Paper and Fiber Company from 1951 through 1980, retiring as Manager of Chemical Sales. Colonel Putnam was active in community service as: member of the Board of Trustees of Memorial Mission Hospital from 1948 through 1953. Also he was Publicity Director, member of the Building Committee of the new Memorial Mission Hospital. His other community services included: Chairman of the Capital Funds Drive for Eliada Homes, Lay Pastor of St. Luke's Episcopal Church from 1949 through 1953, member of the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church, President of the Asheville Junior Chamber of Commerce from 1959 to 1960, Honorary Lifetime Member of the United States Jaycees, member of the Board of Trustees of the Western Carolina Rescue Mission, former member of the Biltmore Forest Country Club, and former member of the Knights of the Laurel Rhododendron Royal Brigade of Guards. He was married to the late Jeanne Middleton Guearard Reid Putnam. Mr. Putnam is survived by his daughter, Anne Fuller Putnam Hutzel, her husband, Matthew Hutzel; his son, Middleton Guerard Putnam; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Anne Putnam Martinez, and her husband, Ricardo Martinez; a grandson, Robert Middleton Smith Putnam of Wilmington, NC; a great grandson, Christopher Diego Martinez, and his niece, Kathryn Putnam Kent of Keizer, OR. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 5 7pm, on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Ave. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Thursday, February 9, 2006 at Trinity Episcopal Church with Rev. Thomas Hughes officiating. Interment will be at 11am on Saturday, February 11 in Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC. In lieu of flowers the memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801, or the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, P.O. Box 956, Mars Hill, NC 28754. Condolences may be sent through the website, www.Morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.