Mr. Robert Irving Upshur

WEST COLUMBIA - Robert I. Upshur, 92, was born May 30, 1918, in Sumter to the late Caroline Martin and William B. Upshur. Mr. Upshur died August 1, 2010. He was educated in the public schools of Sumter and spent one year at Presbyterian College, followed by attendance at the University of Virginia, where he received a degree in Architecture in 1939. Bob spent several years working for architectural and engineering firms in the Carolinas. In 1954 he became a founding partner in the architectural firm of Upshur, Riley and Bultman in Columbia. Resigning from that firm, he took a position with the State Department of Education as director of the Office of School Planning and Building, a position he held until his retirement in 1983. Bob was a long-time member and past president of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and also a past president of the Clemson Architectural Foundation. Bob served in World War II for three years, including overseas time with the 8th Air Force in England. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where he was a former member of the Vestry and also served as a greeter and usher. He was a former member of the Columbia Five Points Rotary Club. Surviving are his sons, David of Columbia and Dr. John I. Upshur and his wife, Beverley, of Germantown, Maryland, and two grandchildren, Katherine of St. Louis and William of Washington, D.C., his brother, Thomas T. Upshur of Lynchburg, Va., and many loving nieces and nephews of several generations. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 7, 2010, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Keenan Chapel, located off Marion Street. A reception will be held in the Stirling Room immediately following the service. The family will receive friends at his home from 3-6 p.m. Friday, August 6, 2010. The family requests memorials be made to the charity of one’s choice.