Robert Fussell, Jr.

Robert Curtis Fussell, Jr. of 203 Trailwood Drive, died Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at his home following many years of extended recovery from a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. He was the last living member of his immediate family. He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Ruth Miller "Bobbie" (Godfrey) Fussell of Charlotte, NC; three sons, Rev. Dr. Robert Curtis Fussell, III, D. Min., Ph.D of Mebane, NC, Charles Mark Fussell of Charlotte, NC and Dr. Robin Dale Fussell, Esq. of Charlotte, NC. Also surviving is his nephew Michael Duane Barnette of Chesapeake, VA; a dear cousin, Betty Sue Ledbetter of Virginia Beach, VA; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father, Robert Curtis Fussell, Sr., his mother, Hannah Veneer (Smith) Fussell, and his sister, Barbara Marie (Fussell) Barnette. He was born January 24, 1934 in Norfolk County, VA and was retired from Sampson Community College, Clinton, NC (1987) and Spartanburg Technical College (1995) for health reasons. He was a college teacher dedicated to excellence in teaching. He was Department Head of the Electronics Engineering Technology Department at Spartanburg Technical College in Spartanburg, SC and continued to serve the College after his retirement as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Electronics Department. He was formerly employed at Sampson Community College in Clinton, NC for six years and was a Founding Faculty Member of Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. He served on the CPCC faculty for twenty-three years and served frequently on the Faculty Senate. He originated the Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology curriculum at both colleges and served as their Department Head and instructor. He held a FAA private pilot license and an FCC General Radiotelephone (First Class) license. He was a former member of IEEE, ISA, and the Charlotte Engineers Club. He was a Mason and a Shriner. He served in the USAF (SAC) for four years during the Korean Conflict as a Senior Radio and Radar Technician and received several commendations. His active duty was followed by four years in the USAF Reserve. He graduated from Central High School in Charlotte, NC in 1951 and received his AAS and BSEE degrees from Valparaiso Technical Institute in Valparaiso, IN. His graduate work was in Education at UNCC in Charlotte, NC and NCSU in Raleigh, NC. He served for about a year as a Consultant to the board of Governors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC. He was a member of the Engineering Dept. at WSOC-AM/FM/TV in Charlotte for about five years in the late 1950's and participated in numerous radio and TV projects. He made the first AM/FM Stereo Radio broadcast at WSOC in Charlotte. He was a member of a four-man team who designed and built a heart storage machine in 1970 used for research at Charlotte Memorial Hospital (now Carolinas Medical Center) in Charlotte, NC. Hearts were kept alive for three days. He and a mechanical engineer also designed and built several other machines used in open-heart surgery including one given to Guatemala City Hospital. These were projects conducted by the Heineman Medical Research Center. They also designed and built the mechanical and electronics components for the popular "Singing Bears" animations used during the Christmas season at four southeastern shopping malls including Eastland Mall. He and his students as CPCC designed and built an electric car and drove it in the first "Clean Air Car Rally" held at UNCC in 1967 in Charlotte. They received the Outstanding Overall Vehicle Award. The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges honored him with their first Excellence in Teaching Award in 1986 when he was a member of the faculty of Sampson Community College. This is the "Teacher of the Year" award for the NC Community College System. He was elected to serve as the first Vice President of the North Carolina Electrical and Electronics Educators Association. He was a Charter Member and one of the founders of the organization. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg and served as a member of their mission team to San Juan, Dominican Republic. He was a former member of Sardis Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC. He also served several civic and philanthropic organizations including the Crisis Assistance Ministry in Charlotte, NC, VICA, and FBLA. He was a former member of Spartanburg Men's Garden club. He was an avid genealogy researcher and was proud to be of Cherokee Indian descent and a ninth generation grand nephew of Sir Isaac Newton. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 20, 2010, in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, conducted by Dr. William L. Arthur. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, November 21, 2010 at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte, NC, conducted by his son, Rev. Dr. Robert Curtis Fussell, III. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spartanburg Regional Hospice Special Needs Fund, 120 Heywood Avenue, Suite 300, Spartanburg, SC 29302. The family is at the home. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert C. Fussell, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.