Robert Austin

Robert Austin, born Nov 10, 1933 in Los Angeles, CA, died June 22, 2023 in Raleigh, NC.

The funeral will be Saturday, July 15, 2023, 1:00 PM, at Ascension Lutheran Church, Wilson, followed by visitation.

Bob, was a six year Korean War, U.S. Navy Veteran, who loved telling jokes and stories of his adventures as well as meeting people around the world. He worked a variety of jobs in his lifetime, from being a salesman for light fixtures to owning his own lighting store in Honolulu, Hawaii, to managing a drywall company, to operating a tree trimming operation in Guam. He was a past board member of Honolulu’s Shriners Hospital For Children. He was a Mason and an Eastern Star member and a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Wilson.

Bob’s favorite activities in retirement included his church outreach programs – delivering Saturday Meals On Wheels, packing and delivering CHEW food for children, making soup for veterans, and making breakfast for the congregation and community on Sunday mornings.

His family will always remember his sense of humor. He usually had a joke or story to share with whomever he met, even if he had already told them. Talk about a sense of humor, when Bob and Anne got married, it was her first marriage. He brought 5 children through the door, ages 2 – 12. Several years later 2 more were added to the family!

Bob is survived by his wife Anne, whom he says was very lucky to have for 56 years, and by his son Michael and daughter in law Kristie, daughter Valerie Milne, son Robert, son Gary and daughter in law Reann, and daughter Janet Austin.  He was also blessed with grandchildren Anne, Kristy, Nick, Mike, Katie, Gina, Joshua, Elizabeth, Anna, and Kai. In addition, since his untimely leg amputation, he says he ’s no longer able to keep up with how many Great Grandchildren there are, nor how many Great Great Grandchildren there are! But he was blessed with Great and Great Great alike!

Bob was predeceased by his parents George and Elsie Austin and son Chris and daughters Debbie and Kathy Austin.

Bob said it, “I don’t regret a moment of it. It’s been one hell of a ride!” He will be dearly missed by ever so many. Just go through the gates Dad, don’t try to fix them.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr N, Wilson, NC 27896, www.wilsonmemorialservice.com, 252-237-7171.