Robert Rudolph Spurling, Jr. (Bob), age 80, of Norris, TN, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Born in Fairfax, SD, Bob was raised in Ronceverte/White Sulphur Springs, WV, and graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1948. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. After graduating from West Virginia University in 1957 with a B.S. degree in chemical engineering, Bob worked for 45 years as a chemical engineer for Olin Chemicals in Saltville, VA, and Amoco Chemicals in Joliet, IL, and Decatur, AL. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Robert Rudolph Spurling, Sr., and stepfather and mother Edward and Edna Johnson Shires. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Phyllis Lowery; their sons Robert Rudolph III and Curtis Leroy; Robert III's wife Heidi Weiffenbach and their children Robert Jackson, Caroline Christian, and Curtis Maclean; his sister Jane Shires Radabaugh and husband Roy and their family; and brother Thomas Edward (Tommy) Shires and his wife Martha and family.

Bob had a lifelong interest in hunting, but his passion was his grandchildren. Jackson, Bob's 12-year-old grandson, summed up his feelings for his grandfather this way: "If you think that you've met someone who's as fun and playful as can be, think again! His grandchildren have gone to visit and have come home so happy and tickled. In my opinion, PaPaw should have pursued a late career of how to teach people how to be a fun grandpa."

In accordance with Bob's wishes, his ashes will be spread by the family, and there will be no funeral or memorial services. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Davis-Stuart, Inc., a Presbyterian residential care home and farm for adolescences (RR 02 Box 188A, Lewisburg, WV 24901-9320). Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.