Robert W. Huntington

Robert Wesley Huntington, O.D. aged 87, passed away at his home in Idaho Falls, Idaho on
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010.

His daughter-in-law, Jan Huntington and his granddaughter, Heidi Huntington, survive him. His wife, Marie, son, Michael and daughter, Holly, precedes Father Bear as he was lovingly called, in death.

Dr. Huntington was born in Osgood, Ind. on Sept. 12, 1922, to Alfred and Ruth Adella Huntington. He graduated from Osgood High School in 1940. He was employed as a telegraph operator by the B & O Railroad, and was promoted to train dispatcher in 1943. Dr. Huntington served his country in the U. S. Army Air Corps, trained as an aerial gunner on the B-17 and B-29. He served in the Japan Occupation Force, 1945-46. Upon returning home he married his high school sweetheart, Clarice Marie Richey.

Dr. Huntington enrolled in the Chicago College of Optometry in 1947 under the G.I. Bill and graduated with honors in 1950. In July 1951 he began his practice in Poplar Bluff, retiring in 1990.

Dr. Huntington served as President of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce in 1954 and as President of the Rotary Club in 1958. He was very active in the First Christian Church, serving as Elder for many years. Dr. Huntington was appointed President of the park board in 1955 and served in many different positions for 33 years. The Poplar Bluff Municipal Swimming Pool was named in his honor in 1975. The Missouri Parks and Recreation Council awarded him The Citation of Outstanding Service in 1991. He was inducted into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

Following heart surgery, he moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1993 to be near his family. He was fortunate to have several years of traveling, golfing and fishing with his son, Michael and Jan.

Dr. Huntington's philosophy of life was the ""Golden Rule. He was a kind and loving husband and father and a loyal and generous friend. His many contributions to the Poplar Bluff community will be long remembered.

The family will receive and visit with friends at the First Christian Church in Poplar Bluff at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 1, 2010. A service of celebration of Dr. Huntington's life will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Church with Dr. Michael Penney officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and kind thoughts may be made to the First Christian Church, 1601 North Main St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 63901, or the Poplar Bluff Museum, 1010 North Main St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 63901.