Obituary of Robert M. Bumbaugh

Robert Myers Bumbaugh was born on June 8, 1918, and died February 5, 2013. He was the son of William and Annetta Bumbaugh, both deceased. He graduated From Swatara high School, Oberlin, Pa in 1937, and received the highest honors in Radiology from the Franklin School in Philadelphia, PA. Additional training was received at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and Bowman Gray School of Inhalation Therapy. He served as a cadet in the US Merchant Marines and was a World War II Navy Veteran. Having served in active duty from 1941-1946, his decorations included the Combat Action Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign with 4 battle stars, American Theater Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. From 1946 to retirement in 1981, he served as Senior Chief Petty Officer in the Naval Reserves in Greensboro, NC, being one of four individuals to have received this title. From this he was the recipient of the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal with three stars. Mr. Bumbaugh came to Boone as Superintendent of the IRC pilot plant in 1953. The community will long remember his dedication to the health and welfare of its people through his serving has Chairman of the Building Committee for the Watauga Hospital that opened in 1966. He was Director of the Inhalation Therapy Department and Physicians Assistant at Blowing Rock Hospital from 1971-1991 and was the Medical Assistant to the Watauga Surgical Group before his retirement in 2002. He was a member of the Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church, the American Legion, VFW and DAV. Preceding him in death was his only sister, Ruth Amundson and his devoted faithful wife, Nancy Bruening Bumbaugh. His survivors include Jerry L. Bumbaugh, Billy Karl, Andrew O. McEachern III, Phyllis Shore Bumbaugh and Liggett Cato; grandchildren: Felicia B. and Jonathan Yarboro, Kristin B. and Santiago Espinosa, Alexandre Cato, Eliza Cato, Lavinia Karl, Luke Karl and Lillian Karl; grand-children: Katherine Yarboro, Isabella Espinosa and Cristavo Epinosa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Blowing Rock Fire Department/Rescue Squad, the Blowing Rock Library, Oasis, or the Baptist Campus Ministry at ASU. There will be a private family gravesite service with full military honors at Woodlawn Cemetery. No memorial service is planned. Online condolences may be shared with the Bumbaugh family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Bumbaugh family.