Robert Vinson Studley

Robert "Bob" Vinson Studley, Sr., 77, of Aiken, died Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at University Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Aiken on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 3pm . A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. There will be a private interment. The Rev. Dr. Cozad and Jane Keisler will officiate.

Born in Cleveland, OH, he was the son of the late Dr. Hiram Orville and Helen Vinson Studley. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a major in mechanical engineering and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. In 1955 he moved to Aiken to work with DuPont Savannah River Site as a physicist and later senior supervisor. He was a senior member of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management. Bob retired from DuPont after thirty three years of service and then went on to work for Westinghouse for another six years.

As a member of First Presbyterian Church of Aiken, he sang in the choir for over fifty years, and served as a Deacon and an Elder of the church. Bob enjoyed fixing any electronics problem and worked tirelessly to ensure the church's sound system operated optimally.

Bob was active in the Aiken Community Playhouse, the Aiken Civic Ballet Co., and the Aiken Choral Society for many years. He appeared in "Naughty Marietta" in 1961, followed by a number of other musicals and was also the production manager for "Oklahoma" in 1963. His most significant contribution through the years was in sound and lighting. Bob built and ran the lighting for both the Playhouse and Aiken Civic Ballet Co. productions and served as a director for both. He was recognized for his dedication and commitment with a lifetime membership and Who's Who in the Aiken Community Playhouse. He was a founding board member of the Aiken Choral Society, where he sang bass. Bob was also a member of the CSRA Home Brewers Club where he won numerous awards for his specialty brews. He enjoyed conducting tastings for friends and family.

Bob is survived by his wife, Eleanor Cullum Studley, daughters, Lucile S. Higgins and her husband Michael of Atlanta, GA; Anne K. Studley of Nova Scotia; son, Robert V. Studley, Jr. and his wife Sylvia of Dayton, OH, brother-in-law, Norman Cullum, grandchildren, James and Julia Higgins, Ashley Velez, Robert V. Studley, III, Katherine Studley, step-grandchildren, Patrick and Kellie Higgins, and great granddaughter, Christina Velez.

George Funeral Home & Cremation Center is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be directed to First Presbyterian Church Music Dept., 224 Barnwell St, Aiken, SC, 29801 or Aiken Community Playhouse, P.O. Box 125, Aiken, SC 29802.