Obit: Dunlap, Robert Murray Sr. (1919 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Dunlap, Taylor, Coleman, Golson, Wood, Svendal, Conway, Patton, Hazen

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 8/8/2012

Dunlap, Robert Murray Sr. (5 April 1919 - 2 August 2012) With Flag

Robert M. Dunlap, Sr., age 93, of Thorp, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 2, 2012. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Thorp. Pastor John Hazen officiated and burial of cremains took place in East Thorp Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Thorp American Legion Post #118. Visitation was held at the church, on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until time of the service.

Robert Murray Dunlap was born on April 5, 1919, in Sharon, TN, the son of Marcus Sylvester and Lura (Taylor) Dunlap, and was educated in a single school building which served all grades. Bob graduated from Sharon High School and attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, for one year. Bob was then drafted in 1941 into the Army-Air Force. He eventually attended Officers Candidate School and graduated on September 26, 1942. While stationed at Fort Douglas, in Salt Lake City, Utah, he met his future wife, Ruth Coleman, and they were married in 1942, at Fort Lewis, Washington, before shipping overseas. Bob served on the North African Front as Captain, and was eventually awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious conduct. Upon his honorable discharge, in 1946, he attended and graduated from Utah State University-Logan, Utah, where he earned his B. S. degree in Accounting. He worked for Strevell Patterson Company in Salt Lake City, where the family lived for 17 years, then moved to Sylmar, California where he worked for Collins Foods in Los Angeles. In 1972, Bob and his family moved to Thorp, Wisconsin where Bob worked for ITT Corporation until his retirement. During his retirement, he worked as a consultant to Francis Conway for many years. Two great highlights of Bob’s life included seeing General George Patton, while overseas, and the Pope at the Vatican.

He was a member of the Thorp Lion’s Club, the Thorp American Legion, and the Thorp United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities including Chairman of the Finance Committee. During the 80’s, Bob served one term as Mayor of Thorp.

He is survived by three children: Joyce Golson of Thorp, Jill Dunlap of Thorp, and Robert M. (Barb) Dunlap, Jr., of Onalaska; four grandchildren: Jordan (Kim) Wood of South Jordan, UT, Andrew (Kim) Wood of Kearns, UT, Josh (Amanda) Svendal of Eau Claire, and Eric Lee Dunlap of Onalaska; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles David (Charlene) Dunlap of Decatur, AL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death, by his parents; his wife, Ruth, of 53 years, on January 28, 1996; one son: Alan Thomas Dunlap; and two brothers: Leon and Duane Dunlap.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.