Virginia Beach- Robert E. Umphlett, 91, passed away February 24, 2017 peacefully with his wife Irene and daughters Sheila and Melody by his side. After walking on the earth for just under a century, he went home to the big farm in the sky. Bob was a humble southern gentleman with an understated wit; a…
Continue ReadingVirginia Beach- Robert E. Umphlett, 91, passed away February 24, 2017 peacefully with his wife Irene and daughters Sheila and Melody by his side. After walking on the earth for just under a century, he went home to the big farm in the sky.
Bob was a humble southern gentleman with an understated wit; a caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a cherished friend to many. Born at home to the late Hagood and Della Umphlett on his family’s Gates County farm on February 11, 1926, he credited them with teaching him the values of hard work and living a Christian life. He eventually left the farm, but it never left him; he carried that self sufficiency, love of family and friends, the importance of community, and the richness of living a simple, frugal life with him always.
Even as a child, his favorite toy was a one-toothed claw hammer that he and his brother, Lilton, used as a turning plow in the shade under the house. At Christmas, Bob, Lilton and their older sister, Malene, found in each of their shoeboxes the rare, once a year store-bought, practical gifts—usually socks. Although their parents thought schooling was important, when harvest time came, they were all needed on the farm and missed several weeks of school. His mother always had lunch promptly at noon, ringing the farm bell to call everyone in for a meal together, a revered tradition in this close-knit family. Even surgery was an opportunity. Thanks to his brother Lilton’s need for a tonsillectomy, Dr. Carter offered a $25 for one and $40 for both boys. They took the deal.
He was a renowned beekeeper, farmer, fisherman, and hunter; a respected Boy Scout leader; a lifelong Mason; a great dancer; and an avid golfer. He never knew a stranger. Bob was charitable, hardworking, a man of honor and faith. Bob was a vibrant, active man who lived life to the fullest—at work and at play.
He was drafted near the end of the war, served two years as storekeeper on his ship. His battle station was a 40mm anti-aircraft gun below the big guns. Although he returned safely from the war, he’d lost some of his hearing.
Bob had endless ingenuity. As a teen he helped build a diesel engine for a grinding mill and won $400 for his Future Farmers of America high school project. He could fix anything. He repaired the family TV, fixed household plumbing and electrical, as well as his kids’ bicycles. Sometimes he was a little too handy; while in the Navy on the USS AA Cunningham, he and shipmates disassembled a “borrowed” admiral’s scooter and hid the parts throughout the ship. The shore patrol never discovered the scooter or culprits, though later the mischievous sailors reassembled and drove it off the ship.
He married Mary Pullen in 1950. They started their family of three—Clayton, Sheila and Melody. At their home in Corapeake, Bob always had a family garden by which he mentored his children’s love of digging in the dirt. He was a good provider, supplementing family meals with wild game and fish. The Umphletts had their annual Fourth of July cookout with his mom, Grandma Della, with fresh squeezed lemonade, hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, the best fried chicken in the county, hand-cranked ice cream and horseshoes under the pines. They shared many vacations with the Hobbs, Dot and Graham Jr., Donna, Chuck and Gail at the Parker Cottage in Kitty Hawk. One night was always reserved for a steamed crab feast. Closer to home they also camped out at the “Sand Pit” in the back field of Graham Junior’s Corapeake Farm. There was always laughter around the great bonfire. Christmas Eve was always celebrated with the Hobbs’, with a return visit the next day to see what Santa brought.
After his time in the Navy, he supported his family by working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the US Postal Service and the Suffolk Golf Course where, among other jobs, he repaired golf carts.
Bob’s life was enriched by his spiritual families at Parkers Methodist Church in Corapeake (and, later, Haygood United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach). He was the ‘go to’ man for cooking hush puppies at the annual Parkers UMC barbeque dinner. He was the church Superintendent, leading the morning opening of Sunday School. His faith community was there in good times and in bad.
Bob and his children suffered several difficult years as Huntington slowly, but steadily claimed his wife, but Bob did what he needed to do as the woman he married changed before his eyes. While his children moved through the landmarks of adolescence and adulthood, he was sole cheerleader, advisor and comforter.
After his wife died, and then his mother, he started a new chapter of his life with a renewed relationship with his sister, Malene. He bought his mother’s home next door to his sister. His daughter Sheila and her husband Chris were starting their family and Bob and Malene would travel together to Raleigh to visit his grandchildren. Bob and his sister were a great comfort to each other and every Friday they would go to Doris and Rogers’s restaurant to have dinner.
After losing Malene, he moved to Virginia Beach which introduced him to ballroom and square dancing, membership to Haygood Methodist Church and the fellowship of friends in Haygood Halls. As an eligible bachelor, he was much sought after. Here he met his future wife, taking bus trips to theaters, gambling casinos and on site-seeing tours. Bob and his Uncle Irvin travelled together as roommates on one trip and paired up with a recently widowed Irene Sharply and her friend. After that trip, Irene and Bob were an item, frequently seen together. Few would believe it, but a run to the emergency room resulted in a marriage proposal, and in February, 2003 they were married in the Chapel of Haygood Methodist Church.
They shared many happy years together, travelling to Ohio for Fourth of July parades, many more bus trips and spending time on eastern shore and in Raleigh. Eventually his health began to decline and Irene was steadfast in her loving care for him. He died at Bayside Rehab facility. Thanks to all the nurses, doctors, rehab staff, appointment secretaries and other health care professionals whose kindness made such a difference to Bob and his family throughout his numerous medical events. More than just providing a professional service, they offered genuine care for him.
Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Mary Pullen Umphlett, sister Malene Eure, son Robert Clayton Umphlett and step-daughter Judy Holloman by Irene Garst Umphlett, his devoted wife of 14 years. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Irene Umphlett; his brother Lilton Umphlett; daughter Sheila Hargett (Chris) of Raleigh and their children Elizabeth Bass (Matt), Sarah, Joel and David; daughter Melody Copper (Bob) of Virginia Beach; and grandson Chris Umphlett (Kristen) of Michigan; Chris’ mom, Kathy Sisson; and Chris and Kristen’s children, Kyria, Derek and Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, North Carolina, Haygood UM Church or the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at Haygood UM Church on Thursday, March 2 at 11 am.

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