Obituary of Robert B. Purdy

AIKEN, SC—Colonel Dr. Robert B. Purdy, US Army (Ret.), age 90, entered into rest peacefully Saturday, December 1, 2018.

Dr. Purdy was born May 25, 1928 in Angola, IN to the late Warren and Catherine Purdy. He received both his undergraduate and post graduate degrees from Indiana University with a specialty degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Medical Degree in Dentistry from Indiana University. He had a varied career.  He served his country over a 28-year period in the US Army, serving in the Military Police during the Korean War and he was stationed in Germany and twice in Korea. He retired with the rank of Colonel and received numerous awards for his service to include the Bronze Star.

After retirement from the military, Dr. Purdy taught as a professor at the University of Tennessee Dental School in Memphis, TN. He was a resident of Aiken, SC for the past 17 years. He enjoyed playing golf and volunteered for the Train Depot, the Aiken County Historical Museum, FOTAS, Sertoma, and was a supporter of the Aiken Center for the Arts, and the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Linda Purdy; a daughter, Karen Flamand; a son, Kent W. Purdy; a grandson, Andrew McCarver (Samantha); a great-grandchild, Skylar McCarver; a sister, Mary Etzler; and an aunt, Sue Schreiber.

A graveside service will be held at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be directed to FOTAS, PO Box 2207, Aiken SC 29802 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the Purdy family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com