Robert Eugene Cargill

Robert “Bob” Eugene Cargill passed away on December 22, 2025, at the age of 103. Born in New York City on November 23, 1922, to Robert and Lillian Cargill, Bob’s life was defined by service, creativity, and kindness.

Distinguished Military Career

In the months after his high school graduation from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, the bombing of Pearl Harbor stirred something resolute in Bob. Walking home from church, he and his two best friends decided they could not remain on the sidelines; they would serve. He enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the Corps of Engineers. Due to his natural artistic ability, he was selected for the Camouflage Construction Team becoming the youngest man in his battalion. Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Camp Livingston, Louisiana, taught him discipline and technical skills from rifle training to gas-mask drills, while also refining the craft of concealment vital to wartime operations.

Shipped across the Atlantic on a British vessel, his unit made landfall in Oran, North Africa. From there, the 84th Engineer Camouflage Battalion supported deception and camouflage for landing craft and equipment. Bob later moved with his unit through Italy and participated in the Southern France campaign, continuing through the Rhineland, Ardennes Alsace, and into Central Europe. Fluent in French, he often served as an interpreter for his unit. For his service he received the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Service Medal, the World War II Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and Rifle Certification. In 2022 the City of Roswell formally recognized Corporal Robert E. Cargill as an Esteemed World War II Veteran in honor of his 100th birthday.

Legacy in Advertising and the Arts

Returning home in 1945, Bob pursued commercial art and design at the Pratt Institute in New York City launching what would become a celebrated career in advertising. Early roles took him to Philadelphia with N.W. Ayer, then to Miami, and ultimately to Atlanta in 1965 as a vice president with McCann Marshalk. Known for impeccable attention to detail and a producer’s eye for compelling visuals, he led creative work on location around the country.

Bob later founded Cargill & Associates, Inc. in Atlanta, collaborating with marquee clients including Coca Cola, IBM, and Arvida. His concepts and designs earned numerous American Advertising Awards (ADDYs). Beyond client work, he shaped Atlanta’s cultural institutions. Serving as President of the Board for the Atlanta College of Art and on the boards of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and the Atlanta Arts Alliance, he invested deeply in creative community and mentorship.

Life of Faith and Family

Bob’s greatest pride was his family. He shared 74 loving years with his wife, Barbara. Bob met her in Pittsburgh while working his first job in an art studio. They married in Barbara’s hometown of Steubenville, Ohio and soon after moved to Philadelphia.

A man of deep faith, Bob was active at Peachtree Presbyterian Church and the Men’s Forum. He was famously optimistic, kind, gracious and always a true gentleman. He loved exploring new places and ideas, collecting antique toys for their elegant simplicity, and telling corny dad jokes that amused multiple generations.

In retirement Bob became a prolific watercolorist, painting on location and teaching others about composition, light, and shadow. He illustrated a children’s book titled The ABC’s of Niceness and participated in numerous art shows. His hand drawn cartoon greeting cards, affectionately dubbed “Cargillgrams”, were treasured keepsakes.

He is survived by his loving wife Barbara Cargill, his children Colleen Cargill Papciak (Michael) and Todd Cargill (Ellen); grandchildren Spencer (Emily), Kevin (Jamie), and Emily (Clinton); great-grandchildren Noah, Mason, and Mackenzie; and his sister Dorothy Ann Torgerson. He was preceded in death by his sister Edna Mae McMurry.

Memorial

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Kellett Chapel at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3434 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA, 30305. A reception will be held at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Bob’s memory through contributions to the Robert Cargill Memorial Scholarship at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Gifts may be made at: www.scad.edu/about/giving/donate?d=ROBCARMEMS