ROBERT FUGUITT

Robert Eugene Fuguitt, 93, passed away at Perry Hospital on Monday, May 9, 2011, after a brief illness. Graveside Services will be held at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Fort Valley Presbyterian Church, 207 Central Avenue, Ft. Valley, Georgia 31030. Mr. Fuguitt was born in Boone Grove, Indiana, to the late Greene V. and Surrilda Holliday Fuguitt. At a young age, his family moved to Florida, and eventually settled in Clearwater. He graduated from Clearwater High School, attended St. Petersburg Junior College, and earned several degrees - BS, BA, MS - and a PhD in Physical- Organic Chemistry, all from the University of Florida. A dedicated Chemical Engineer, his career was devoted to the development and manufacture of organic chemicals from natural sources. He worked for several companies including Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York, where he assisted in the development and improvement of equipment for the distillation of natural oils, primarily Vitamin E; The Glidden Company in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as Manufacturing Superintendent over the production of chemicals from southern pine wood (e.g. Pine oil, pine tar, charcoal); and International Flavors and Fragrances in Union Beach, New Jersey, where he introduced and improved distillation procedures for organic chemicals, such as cedarwood oils. In 1973, he moved to Central Georgia, eventually settling in Ft. Valley, and became Plant Manager for Monarch Wine Company in Roberta, Georgia, where he produced peach and other fruit concentrates. This plant was purchased by Syncorp, Inc. to produce fuel ethanol, and Dr. Fuguitt remained with them in management until 1982. The following year, while maintaining his residence in Ft. Valley, he became Plant Manager of Maui Distillers in Hawaii, producing Hawaiian Rum, and later General Manager of Pacific Ethanol Products on Oahu, producing fuel ethanol from molasses. In 1992, he retired to his residence in Ft. Valley with his wife where he enjoyed tending the yard and caring for his cherished pecan trees. Mr. and Mrs. Fuguitt remained longtime members of Ft. Valley Presbyterian Church. His professional memberships included American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and Institute of Food Technologists. Later in life, in 2006, he joined his wife at Summerhill Senior Living Community in Perry, Georgia, where he will be remembered for his continued love and devotion for his wife, even after her passing in 2010. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gertrude Linton Fuguitt, and his loving wife of 56 years, Virginia Earle Fuguitt. Left to cherish the memories of Mr. Fuguitt are his loving daughters, Hilda Florentine (Robert) of Kendall Park, New Jersey, and Diana Fuguitt of St. Petersburg, Florida; his sister, Rozella Eure of Clearwater, Florida; his brother, Glenn Fuguitt (Martha) of Madison, Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to leave condolences for the family in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. FUGUITT Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com