Robert Lemuel Suttle, 88

On January 8, 2023, Robert Lemuel Suttle passed away at the Pavilion for Health Care of Penney Retirement Community where he had resided since 2004. The youngest child of three, Bob was born in Charlotte, NC on February 8, 1934.

After high school graduation in 1952, he was drafted into eight years of military service in the U.S. Air Force, received jet training, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Bob received advanced jet training in an F-86D, an all-weather interceptor which could break the sound barrier in a slight dive and often caused shock waves on the wings. He earned a Good Conduct Medal and always said the Air Force was a good place to grow-up.

Using his G.I. Bill of Rights, Bob completed his B.S. in Accounting at the University of North Carolina/Charlotte. Teaching gave him opportunities to live in many new places. Bob spent six years teaching high school math in the Virgin Islands and showed students how to settle arguments peacefully – not with knives.

Returning to the U.S., Bob attended the University of Georgia where he earned three degrees: Master of Education, Specialist in Education, and Doctor of Education. He taught at the Universities of Oklahoma and South Dakota. Eventually, he was drawn to Florida to teach at Palm Beach Jr. College. In later years, Bob became a businessman building duplex homes and a trailer park.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Ralph Albert and Beatrice Hoover Suttle; a sister, Alma Suttle Anthony Nemrava; a brother, Ralph Herbert Suttle, Sr.; his wife of 32 years, Mildred “Dot” Whatley Suttle; a stepson, William Edgar Mosely Whatley; and a brother-in-law, Russell E. Schaefer.

Survivors include Bob’s wife, Norma Jenkins Suttle of PRC; six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; stepson Ted Whatley, Jr., of Lake Worth, FL; nieces Joan Freeman and Rose Glass of Palm Coast; sister-in-law, Birdie Suttle of Mt. Holly, NC; niece Michelle Suttle also of Mt. Holly, NC; daughter-in-law Kate Freidank of Delray Beach, FL; nieces Cheryl Laudadio and Marcie Allen of Greensburg, PA. Also, nephews Robert Michael Suttle of Kings Mtn., NC; Matthew R. Schaefer of New Castle, PA; and Stephen B. Schaefer of Harrisburg, PA,

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 AM  Tuesday, April 18. 2023 at the graveside in Penney Farms Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL  32043.  Family and friends may share their condolences at:  www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720