Robert Claytor

Robert (Bob) Claytor, former hospital chaplain and higher education administrator died April 17, 2025 after a short illness. He was the son of William Irvin and Amy Isabel Claytor who predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joann Irwin Claytor, two daughters and their spouses, Lynn Claytor Palmerton (David) and Carol Suzanne Claytor (Jim). He is also survived by one granddaughter Carley and the loves of his life, his two great grandchildren, Chloe and Aiden England.
Dr. Claytor was born in Bluefield, West Virginia where he lived until he entered college. He earned his B.A. from Berea College, his Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Theology from Duke University and his Ph.D from the University of Oklahoma. Upon finishing at Duke, he was hired by Duke University with a joint appointment in the Duke Medical Center as chaplain and The Divinity School where he taught Pastoral Psychology.
From Duke, his career took a turn into higher education administration when he was invited to return to Berea College as Dean of Men. While at Berea, he accepted a position at the University of Oklahoma to both develop a new program while simultaneously work on his PhD In Higher Education Administration. Following the completion of his doctorate, he developed a program for educational administrators with 30 educators from the country of Saudi Arabia. With the chancellor's support he subsequently developed a program that succeeded in being one of the most rewarding of his career. Under the auspices of the Governor of Oklahoma, the program involved bringing a select group of competent graduate students from the 27 institutions of higher learning together to the university with internationally known authorities in many disciplines from around the world for an opportunity to study and visit together in intensive study.
Although he loved the plains of Oklahoma, Bob loved the East Coast better. He returned, spending twenty years at Anderson Area Medical Center, returning to his first commitment - hospital chaplaincy. While at Anderson he fulfilled a desire to be an integral part of the community in which he lived. He was an active Rotarian serving on the board of directors, helped organize AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries), the Anderson Counseling Center where he served two years as president, and assisted in organizing the SC Chaplains Association serving several years as president. Bob was appointed by the governor of SC to the Board of Commissioners of Tri-County Community and Technical College. He was also selected as first chair of the SC Medical Association Ethics committee.
A person noted for his genuine open and engaging personality Bob was seen by his family as someone they loved, a role model, a pillar of the community as well as one who taught them how to ride a bike, be compassionate to others and to leave the world a better place for being in it.