Robert Llewellyn Sumwalt

Robert Llewellyn Sumwalt, Jr. COLUMBIA - Robert L. Sumwalt, Jr. (Bobby) of Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, died on June 11, 2016. Born in Columbia on December 29, 1927, he was the son of Robert L. Sumwalt and Caroline Causey Sumwalt. He was married for 58 years to Joyce Mills Sumwalt, until her death in 2010. A lifelong Columbia resident, Bobby attended McMaster School, Hand Junior High School, and Dreher High School, where he was president of the student body. While attending the University of South Carolina, where he was a cum laude civil engineering graduate, Bobby served as student body president and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa, and many other student organizations. After receiving his master's degree in civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1950, Bobby began his professional career as an engineer with E. I. DuPont and later served as a construction engineer for the City of Columbia school system. Following a 20-year career as senior vice president of McCrory-Sumwalt Construction Company, he founded Sumwalt Construction Company and served as its president, chairman, and chief executive officer until his retirement. He was a registered professional engineer. Bobby continued his love for the University of South Carolina throughout his life, as an avid supporter of its athletic programs, as well as its alumni program. For over six decades, Bobby rarely, if ever, missed a home football, basketball, or baseball game. In front of a stadium crowd of 80,000 fans, he received the Legendary Fan Award from the USC athletic department in 2007. In 2001 he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University in 2003. Bobby served as a deacon and elder in the First Presbyterian Church, where he was a lifelong member. He enjoyed serving his community and profession. He served as President of the Columbia Kiwanis Club and President of the Carolinas Associated General Contractors (AGC) in addition to serving on The Salvation Army Board, along with numerous other civic and charitable organizations. Memberships include Forest Lake Club, the Palmetto Club, Springdale Hall, The Columbia Cotillion Club, The Columbia Ball, and The Centurion Society. Bobby retired as commander in the Civil Engineering Corps of the United States Navy Reserves. Bobby is survived by daughter Elizabeth S. Clark (Emery) and son Robert L. Sumwalt III (Anne) of Columbia; grandchildren, R. Emery Clark, Jr. (Lucille), Mills Clark Hall (Carter), and Mackenzie Sumwalt; great granddaughter, Ella Katharine Sumwalt Clark; sister, Mary S. Coxe of Darlington, SC.; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at 1420 Belmont Drive on Monday, June 13, 2016 from 3:00 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Still Hopes Residents Assistance Fund, 1 Exum Drive, W. Columbia, SC 29169; or First Presbyterian Church, 1420 Lady Street, Columbia, SC 29201; or to The Sumwalt Society at the University of South Carolina College of Engineering and Computing. Please make donations payable to the USC Educational Foundation (Fund #A31471) USC Foundation, Attn: Gift Processing, 1027 Barnwell Street, #107, Columbia, SC 29208. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.