Robert O'Quinn Obituary

Robert Wayne O'Quinn

March 29, 1939 -

April 2, 2025

Bob went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2025 while at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Bob had been diagnosed many years ago with frontotemporal dementia and his health declined rapidly after his wife Ann died on January 30, 2025.

Born on March 29, 1939, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Bob grew up in a close-knit family. He met Ann while attending Spartanburg High School and they graduated in 1957. They continued their relationship through college years. They were married in June of 1961 and moved to Clemson, South Carolina where Bob continued his studies and attained a Ceramic Engineering degree.

Bob was then trained at the White Sands Missile Range in White Sands, NM with the U.S. Army. From there, he and Ann moved to Mount Holly, NJ where he commanded a Nike Missile Battery which was part of the Philadelphia Air Defense Command, and where their only child Deborah Ann was born in July of 1964.

Bob completed his military obligations and they moved to Johnson City, TN where Bob began his career with General Shale Products. Bob and Ann moved several times in the south with General Shale before finally moving back to Johnson City in 1980. Bob retired from General Shale Products in 2003 as the Director of Research in the Kingsport offices. Bob and Ann were longtime residents of Johnson City, TN until they moved to North Carolina to be closer to their only daughter Deborah in February of 2022.

Bob loved his alma mater Clemson University and continued to attend Clemson football games with his daughter, son-in-law and grandsons until he could no longer travel due to his dementia. His love for Clemson was handed down to his daughter, son-in-law, and his two grandsons who are avid fans.

Bob and Ann were longtime members of Munsey United Methodist Church where they actively participated in many activities with their Sunday School class. Bob was a deacon in the church, an usher and served on the Trustees' Committee of the church.

Bob is survived by his only brother Thomas O'Quinn (Dorothy); his only daughter Deborah Emert (Bobby); two grandsons Lance Andrew Emert (Emily) and Brandon Edward Emert (Amanda). Bob has two great grandchildren, Audrey and Bryce whom he loved dearly and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

His funeral arrangements have not been planned at this time but will be held in Johnson City, Tennessee at Munsey in May or June 2025. Memorials can be made to the church Munsey United Methodist Church, 201 South Roan Street, Johnson City, Tennessee 37601 or to Clemson University IPTAY program where he was a member for 60 years. Send to Clemson University/ IPTAY, in care of Robert W. O'Quinn, Class of 1962, PO Box 1529, Clemson, South Carolina 29633.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers that took care of Bob during the last 3 years here in North Carolina both in facilities like Hospice House and in-home 24 hour care where he lived with his daughter and son-in-law.