Robert M. Upton

Robert McLean Upton left this earth to join his Lord and Savior on April 18, 2016, following a brief, unexpected illness. Bob was born to the late Robert Hamilton Upton and John Eloise (McLean) Upton on October 7, 1928 in Fayetteville, NC. Bob served in the US Navy 1946-48. He graduated from UNC-CH with a BA in English in 1952. Bob returned to the University for one year of post graduate education in journalism. His journalism career began as a young boy delivering newspapers in Atlantic City, NJ. Bob worked as a reporter for the Rocky Mount Evening Telegram and the Winston Salem Journal and Sentinel. In 1959 he began his public relations career working as Public Information Officer for the State of NC and later as Public Relations Manager for Monsanto and Texasgulf. In 1984, he joined Upton Associates where he worked as a Public Relations Consultant, Association Executive and Administrator of two NC State Licensing Boards, alongside his wife Eleanor until their retirement in November 2012. Bob was a faithful member of Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh. Bob had a caring, gentle, loving spirit. His wisdom, intelligence and his way with words inspired, taught and guided in some way, every life that he touched. Bob is survived by his loving, devoted wife Eleanor Flowers Upton, his daughter Barbara Upton Geiger (Carlton), his son Mark A. Nelson (Angie), four grandchildren, Robert Carlton Geiger, Margaret McLean Geiger, Christopher Ryan Nelson and Stephen Michael Nelson, sister Katherine U. Wilson of Shrewsbury, NJ and John Charles Upton of La Jolla, CA. A private family memorial service and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Contributions can be made in in the name of Robert M. Upton to Christ Episcopal Church, PO Box 25759, Raleigh, NC 27611-5778 or National Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or http://tinyurl.com/donate-NPF-RMU