Robert G. Bishop, retired Hercules executive
Robert Granville Bishop, 78, passed away peacefully in Lewes Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. Born in Queens, N.Y., July 20, 1935, he was the son of the late Mildred Magee and William S. Bishop and grandson of the late Granville and Emma Hutchinson.
He attended Lansingburgh High School, Troy, N.Y., and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering. He later earned his master's degree in commerce from the University of Richmond in Virginia.
During a career spanning more than 35 years with Hercules Inc., Bob received several U.S. and foreign patents. He traveled worldwide in his position as director of operations of Hercules, Europe. He was an active participant in the formation of The Aqualon Group, a joint venture between Hercules Inc. (Wilmington) and Henkel (Dusseldorf, Germany).
Bob was an avid deep-sea fisherman who loved boating and all beach activities. He also enjoyed hunting and following politics. Among his interests in his younger days was flying float planes and gliders. Up until his death, Bob was still winning poker games with the guys at Cadbury at Lewes. Over his lifetime, he was a member of Kiwanis (Hopewell, Va.), and Toastmasters (Middletown, N.J.), was a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts (London, England), a member of the Lions (Bethany Beach), Elks (Green Valley, Ariz.), and an elder in the Presbyterian Church (most recently Lewes Presbyterian).
He was a devoted husband for 57 years to Carol Bishop (Sharpe); and loving father to Sharon E. Bishop (Wes Okamoto) of Portland, Ore., Judith Hubbard of Rehoboth Beach, and Robert Bishop Jr. (Meredith) of Newark. Bob leaves behind his beloved grandchildren David and Sarah Hubbard, Elisabeth Bishop, and Victoria and Robert G. Bishop III. He also leaves behind two brothers, William S. Bishop (Doreen) of El Dorado Hills, Calif., and David E. Magee (Janice) of Jonesboro, Tenn.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Bishop's memory to Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
