Robert Stewart Bly

As a young boy Bob was active as a Boy Scout and proud to become an Eagle Scout. While in Lakeland he attended Lakeland High School and Florida Southern College and earned a BS degree in Chemistry.

He later attended Northwestern University where he earned a MS degree and the University of Colorado where he earned a PhD degree in 1957. While in graduate school he met Ruta Kramins, a Latvian immigrant who was also working towards a PhD degree in chemistry. They were married in 1956 to become partners in science and in life for the next 64 years.

After earning his graduate degrees Bob took a position as a Research Chemist with DuPont, but after two years, decided that the life of an academic suited him best. In January 1961, after a year at MIT as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, he accepted the position of Assistant Professor to teach and conduct research in organic chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, University of South Carolina. He advanced steadily to Associate Professor in 1964 and Professor in 1970. He served as Department Head from 1970 to 1973, followed by a sabbatical leave for one year as a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley. The following year he returned to the University of South Carolina, Department of Chemistry and was instrumental in its rapid development for two decades. He was actively engaged in both teaching and research, serving as dissertation director for twenty PhD and four MS candidates. He retired as Distinguished Professor Emeritus in 1994 but continued teaching for the next nine years. He was an esteemed member of the Carolina family and is remembered by his colleagues for his dry sense of humor and as a mentor and encourager of new faculty members.

In later years he developed a passion for choral singing and, over the years, was part of six choral groups: The Columbia Choral Society, the Mastersingers, the USC Men’s Chorus, Berkshire Choral International, The Arpad Darazs Singers and the choir of Ebenezer Lutheran Church.

Bob was a caring compassionate person who was deeply concerned with community care and social justice. In that capacity he did volunteer work with the Free Medical Clinic (he was “Volunteer of the Year” in 2010), served meals with the Salvation Army, the Washington Street Soup Cellar and delivered Meals on Wheels until he was in his 80’s.

He is survived by his wife Ruta, brother Allan of Atlanta, GA, nephew Richard (Becky) of Germantown, MD, nephew Robert (Gina) of Atlanta, GA, and three great nieces, Lucy, Charlye, and Annie.

The family is grateful to Dr. Craig Maylath for his compassionate care.

A private memorial service will be held at Ebenezer Lutheran Church on February 20, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ebenezer Lutheran Church Capital Campaign Debt Reduction, University of South Carolina, Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry Enhancement Fund, or University of South Carolina, School of Music, in support of choral music.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com