Robert Atkin Guthrie Jr.

Robert Atkin Guthrie, Jr. of Chattanooga, TN. passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 after a brief illness and hospitalization. He was 93.

Bob was born December 8, 1932 to Robert A Guthrie Sr. and Harriet Wright Guthrie. He was lifelong resident of Chattanooga growing up on Talley Road in Brainerd. As a child he attended Central Baptist Church and sang as a member of a youth Gospel quartet. He attended Sunnyside Elementary and McCallie School. At McCallie, he developed his lifelong love of tennis, self discipline, and self confidence. Bob then went on to the University of Alabama where he obtained a degree in Business. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and served as president of the Interfraternity Council. He was also active in campus politics and as a member of the Druid Collective National Honor Society.

Following his graduation from college, Bob served in the US Army Signal Corps and was stationed in Ft. Ord in Monterey CA. After the service, he returned to Chattanooga where he met and fell in love with Joan Potter Guthrie. Joan was originally from Sparta TN and was working at TVA in cartography after graduating University of Chattanooga. Bob was active in a sports car club and their first date was a blind date set up by a mutual friend--an 11 hour road rally in his MG. They married within a year at her home church in Sparta. Following their marriage, they became Episcopalians and joined St. Martin's Episcopal Church.

Bob & Joan built a home in Murray Hills to raise their young family and began to attend St. Thaddaeus Episcopal Church. Members for 60+ years until its closing in 2025, Bob was an active member and served in many capacities including Vestry member (three terms as Senior Warden), usher, lawn crew, Eucharistic minister, memorial garden coordinator, lay reader, youth advisor, and choir member for 15 years. In later years, he was a part of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew ministry to the ill.

Bob had a 40+ year career in paperboard sales. He started his career with Star Box Inc and retired from the Precision Packaging division of Southern Champion Tray. Between those times he worked as salesman or sales manager for St Regis Packaging, Southwest Forest, and Federal Paperboard. While at St. Regis, he was recognized for achieving $1 million in sales.

He continued to play tennis throughout his life as a member of the Racquet Club in Hixson and Cumberland Tennis Association up through the senior division where he competed with his team at the state level. He played into his 80s.

Also very involved in community service, Bob was a loyal blood donor at Blood Assurance, a member of the downtown Kiwanis Club, a leader for Indian Guides, and a volunteer for Refugee Resettlement. Following his retirement, he was an active volunteer with Metropolitan Ministries, Erlanger Hospital, and patient advocate for Hospice of Chattanooga.

He is described by those who knew him well as a gentle, kind, caring, and compassionate man. He laughed easily, loved deeply, and was a constant source of support for his wife, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was also a beloved uncle, wonderful neighbor, true friend, and faithful and devoted servant of the Lord. He was a gentleman who touched many lives and leaves a large hole in the lives of those who loved him.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother who died in infancy. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Joan Potter Guthrie, daughter Victoria Guthrie (Mark Dickson), son Richard Guthrie (Shelley), and a loving family including two grandchildren Rick Guthrie (Candy) and Samantha Guthrie Hill (Rob) plus two bonus grandchildren, Jeremy Cooper and Amy Wright Hughes (Thomas). Bob was blessed with four great-grandchildren, Tayven & Paisley Guthrie and Eli & Ben Hill.

Bob will be interred at National Cemetery. Services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd, www.heritagechattanooga.com

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Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.