Robert Westbrook (Bob) Butler

Robert (Bob) Westbrook Butler, 94, died peacefully at his home while napping on the couch on Monday, January 25. Bob was born in Jamaica, British West Indies to Norman and Rosa Butler. He attended Jamaica College prep school and the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad. At these schools, Robert excelled academically, as a marksman, and at track and field. After graduation from I.C.T.A., he joined the Royal Air Force in Canada in November, 1943. After WWII ended, he attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada as a Ph.D. chemistry student. He captained the McGill Rifle Team to many intercollegiate victories and was "top man in the shoot" at a number of the competitions.

Robert received his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry in 1950 then moved to Wilmington, DE where he was employed as a research chemist for the Hercules Powder Company. He married his wife, Carolyn, in February of 1954. Bob and Carolyn were avid tennis players, bridge players, and gardeners. Bob worked his entire career at Hercules.

Soon after retiring in1987, he and Carolyn moved to Hilton Head Island where they continued to pursue their hobbies of tennis, bridge, and gardening. Bob discovered that a new Camellia sasanqua was growing on his property and registered it as "Butler's Beauty" with the American Camellia Society. He served for 12 years as Secretary on the board of the Moss Creek Water Oak Utility Company from 1991 - 2002. He was a member of the Moss Creek 3.0 Super Seniors tennis team that was State and Regional Champions in 1998 and 1999. Bob played tennis regularly until his 83rd year. In his later years, he participated in Audubon Christmas bird counts and was a devoted fan of the US Women’s Soccer team. At age 90, Bob completed a master gardeners course and was certified a "Master Gardener".

Bob was a kind, unassuming, gentle man, a loving husband and father, and a lifelong friend to friends he made in Jamaica, Trinidad, Montreal, Wilmington, and Hilton Head Island. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Butler, his son, David Butler and David's wife, Cherie' Butler. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Butler.

A Memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 12 at 2:00 pm at Hilton Head Island First Presbyterian Church. Donations in Bob's memory can be made to the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society, P.O. Box 6185, HHI, SC 29938.