Robert Moore Thurston

Robert Moore Thurston, 86, went to be with the Lord on  1/29/14 surrounded by family, at his home in Baton Rouge, La. There will be a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church Baton Rouge, Dunham Chapel, where they were members, on Saturday, February 8, visitation at 10AM, service at 11 AM, with reception at the church to follow. Robert (Bob) was born on August 30, 1927, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late Robert Ray and Pauline Moore Thurston. He  was reared in Chappaqua, New York, where he attended Horace Greeley High School. Upon graduation, Bob enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served overseas in the 43rd Weather Wing. He graduated from Miami of Ohio University, with a BS in chemistry, and then did graduate work at M.I.T.  He worked for Ethyl Corporation for 34 years, and spent many of those in Houston and Tulsa.  Bob retired from Ethyl Corp. in 1986, has frequented their family's home on Penobscot Bay, Maine, almost every summer for decades. He was a long-time member of the Bucks Harbor Yacht Club. His favorite view in the world was looking from the DLC (Dear Little Cottage) out over Eggemoggin Reach toward Pumpkin Light. Bob was known to all as a devout man of unshakeable conviction. A man of few words, but a great story teller, a gracious host, and a man whom all could depend upon to do exactly what he said he was going to do! He served in many volunteer capacities throughout his life and was an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church, USA.  Bob also had a life-long love affair with the sea and sailing, which defined much of his leisure time. Bob taught all of his children and grandchildren to sail, and imparted his love of the Down East Coast to all of them. Devoted, reliable, loving and generous, the twinkle in his eye and his quiet laugh will be terribly missed! Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Phyllis Ann Miller,  his sister Doris, brother Donald, his son Scott, and his wife Joann, his son, Jeff and wife Patricia, and his grandchildren Kelly, Liz, Andy, Matt, step grandchildren Ashley, Allison, and great grand son Liam.