Robert Lansing Phipps

Robert Lansing Phipps was born April 8, 1933, in New York City to Ogden Mills Phipps and Ruth Pruyn Field.

He was a graduate of St. Bernard’s School, and attended St. Mark’s School before graduating from Collegiate School, and Trinity College.

When Bob was three years old, his mother married Marshall Field III, whose influence would shape much of his life. Marshall shared his love of shooting with Bob from an early age. His passion for outdoor pursuits took him from the mountains of Iran in search of the Persian Ibex, to the terai of India hunting tigers, and back home to his beloved lowcountry shooting driven deer on horseback.

He married the love of his life, Margaret Lee Parr (McGrath), on New Year’s Day of 1989 at Bolan Hall Plantation, the home they built together in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Together they traveled extensively, always eager to explore new culture, food, and terrains. Yet they were happiest at home: hosting family and friends from near and far during quail season at Bolan Hall, and at their River Cottage in Lancaster, Virginia. Forever students, they traded books with equal delight; a history of the Mongol Empire passed between them as readily as a tawdry paperback.

He died peacefully on Tuesday, May 26th at 93 years old. Known for his understated presence, humor, and unimpeachable character, Bob will be remembered with affection and gratitude by all who knew him.

Even in his final years, he never lost his passion for the outdoors. Drivers along Bolan Hall Road would be greeted by his signature buggy, out for his daily rounds, inspecting every field and admiring every change in the land he loved.

He was a man who found pleasure in the elemental things: a driven bird, a tale of tigers, a whoopee cushion snuck under the chair of an unsuspecting host, or sharing dessert with his grandchildren after an evening with friends and family.

He is survived by his daughter: Margaret Lee McGrath Crossen (Keith) of Bluffton, SC; his grandchildren: Maureen Alison Lee Crossen Marschalk (Rob) of New York, NY, Margaret Lee Crossen Baranda (Alvaro) of Richmond, VA, and John David Keith Crossen (Helen) of New York, NY; and great-grandchildren: Robert Butler Marschalk Jr., Eloise Carver Lee Marschalk, and Lachlan Porter Lee Crossen. His family and friends will honor the legacy he left behind.

For those who wish to celebrate in prayer, a service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, May 30th at the Church of the Holy Trinity (2718 Bees Creek Road, Ridgeland, SC, 29936). A remembrance will be held by the family in the coming months.