Robert Edward Priestley

Robert Edward Priestley - SAVANNAH - Robert Edward Priestley, 75, died January 17, 2008 at home with his family at his bedside. He had been under the care of Hospice Savannah during a long, courageous battle with lung disease. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Bob had lived in Garden City and Wilmington Park since 1961. He was predeceased by his mother, Katharine Priestley, a sister, Helen Ladislaw and his in-laws, Duncan and Etheleene McAllister. After graduation from South Hills High School he became a member of the Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps in Washington, D.C, his unit played for presidents, kings and queens. A bugler, Bob frequently played "Taps" for military burials at Arlington National Cemetery. He was a member of the Air Force Association. Following military service, he attended Georgia Teachers College (now known as Georgia Southern University). He received a BS in Education in 1957 and MS in Administration in 1972. He retired in 1985 after 30 years touching the lived of thousands of students as band director of Jeff Davis County High School, of the Rebel Band at Groves High School and principal of Sprague Elementary School, in Garden City. Bob was a former member of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity and Phi Delta Kappa education leadership organization. Bob remained loyal to Georgia Southern University as a member of the 1906 Society and Southern Boosters. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Georgia Southern Eagles from the rebirth of its football program in 1981 and, until his illness, rarely missed a game. After retirement, Bob continued to be an education supporter through his membership in Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Georgia and Chatham County Retired Educators. An advocate for children and the elderly, Bob served as a chairman of a Chatham County Judicial Citizen Review Panel for 15 years and delivered Meals-on-Wheels to elderly shut-ins for more than a decade. A charter member and former president of the Garden City Lions Club he also served as Region Chairman for Zone 1. Before becoming a member of Wilmington Island United Methodist Church, Bob was a member of Garden City United Methodist Church for many years. He was teacher for John Barnes Sunday School Class and leader of the PrimeTimers, the senior's ministry of the church. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Melba M. Priestley of Savannah; sons, Rob Priestley and his wife, Patricia and Rus Priestley all of Savannah; granddaughters, Rachael Priestley and husband, Brian Methot of Lilburn, GA; Allyson Priestley of Savannah and Jessica Binkley of Brooklyn, NY; two sisters, Grace Priestley and Jane Schlegal of Pittsburgh, PA; several nieces and nephews and Rachael's mother, Sharon Broyles of Pooler. Funeral: 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2008 at Wilmington Island United Methodist Church. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Burial: Family burial Monday in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to RN Liz Maher and CNA Pat McPhatter of Hospice Savannah and all the caregivers and physicians who lovingly gave Bob and his family care, comfort and support. This enabled him to spend his last days at home with his family as he desired. Remembrances: Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation/Priestley Scholarship, 1615 West 92nd . Street, Kansas City, MO 64114-3296. Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com Savannah Morning News January 18, 2008 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at www.savannahnow.com