Appomattox: Robert Allen "Bob" Sears, Sr., 84, of Church St., died Thursday morning, July 19, 2007 in Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the husband of the late Katherine Gough (Kitty) Sears. Bob died as he lived, surrounded by loving family and friends.
Born in Appomattox County, March 13, 1923, he was a son of the late John Edward and Mary Amanda Irby Sears.
He graduated from Appomattox High School in 1941, attended Virginia Tech and graduated from the University of Illinois V12 Officers Training Program in 1944. Bob served as a Commissioned Officer in the 36th Construction Battalion of the U.S. Navy Seabees in Saipan and Okinawa during World War II. He attended Graduate School and was initiated into Tau Sigma Delta Honorary Fraternity in Architecture and Allied Arts at Virginia Tech in June 1947. During this period of his life, he taught Structural Engineering Courses as a Graduate Assistant. In 1951 he married the love of his life Katherine Gough.
He was the former president of J.E. Sears & Co., Inc. and designed and constructed various homes and buildings throughout Central Virginia.
Bob was very active in his church, Memorial United Methodist, where he sang in the choir, served as past chairman of both the Administrative Board and the Trustees.
He was a Charter Member of the Appomattox Lions Club and had 55 years perfect attendance and served in many capacities including that of President.
Bob was instrumental in starting the Little League Football Program in Appomattox and coached for a number of years in the program. He was an avid Hokie Fan and could be heard saying many times at football games "Get the quarterback". Bob was a Hokie Club representative, former President of the Appomattox Hokie Club and a member of the Old Guard at Virginia Tech.
He enjoyed family, friends and pets especially his beloved dog, Smokey.
He is survived by three children, Katherine Sears Cennamo and her husband, Arthur of Blacksburg, Robert Allen (Al) Sears, Jr. and his wife, Dixie of Appomattox, and Ann Sears and her husband, Mark Johnson of Athens, GA and three grandchildren, Robert Elliott and Katherine Alice Cennamo and Robert Allen Sears, III.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Grey Holland, Dorothy Sears, and Mattie Powers.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM, Sunday, July 22, 2007, at Memorial United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Liberty Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Robinson Funeral Home, Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and other times at his residence.
Those wishing to remember Bob by making a memorial contribution, may donate to Memorial United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 9, Appomattox, VA 24522.
To send an online condolence please visit www.robinsonfuneral.com