Robert W. Gantt

Robert W. Gantt, 75, a devoted resident of Irmo, SC went to be with our Lord on November 9, 2022, after a full and extraordinary life. He was born to a loving family in Rock Hill, SC on November 8, 1947. He loved his childhood in Rock Hill where he made enduring friendships and was nurtured by his parents, Frances Katherine and Wade Hampton Gantt, and his sister Linda Kay. Robert graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1966 and attended the University of South Carolina, graduating in 1970. He met the love of his life, Laura Elizabeth Smith, during summer classes at Winthrop University and they were married in August 1969. They shared 53 years of marriage. During this time, they raised their most cherished work, their daughters: Elizabeth Ross Gantt, Edna Katherine Gantt, and Laura Jane Gantt. While raising their family, Robert was very involved in their children’s school activities, also working for the SC Department of Revenue, and serving in the US Army. Laura and Robert also welcomed two sons-in-law, who they loved like their own, Jason Paul Perla and Franklin Keith Gettys. Robert and Laura loved their role as Nana and Papa to their grandchildren, Laura Katherine Perla, Scarlett Grace Gettys, and Gantt Thurman Gettys. Robert was very proud to wear the uniform and serve in the US Army Reserves. He gave 27 years of active and reserve service and achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was a member of the 391st Engineers. He served as an Officer with the 3270th Hospital Unit and was the Acting Commander of the 329 Medical Detachment. During Operation Desert Storm he was the executive officer to Moncrief Army Hospital at Ft. Jackson. Robert received many honors and medals during his service but counted the amazing friendships made and service to his country as his real rewards. He has always been patriotic and was never afraid to shed a tear during our national anthem or during events like a flyover for military appreciation day at USC football games. Robert also worked at the SC Department of Revenue for 30 years. Always in awe of the companies he had the chance to observe, he found joy even in the small things - bringing us rocks from quarries, surprises from work trips, and of course turning coworkers into great friends. He took the skills learned and used them in post-retirement jobs with Kroll and Wyth. Robert was engaged in his children’s lives and schooling, and from this, his passion for public education was born. He was a leader in District Five for more than 40 years. Robert was president of the Irmo Elementary PTA, he served as the chairperson for the School Improvement Councils at Irmo Elementary, Dutch Fork Middle, and Dutch Fork High Schools. He volunteered as a bus driver for athletic teams at Dutch Fork High School and enjoyed 20 years announcing football games and other athletic events as the "Voice of the Silver Foxes". He was a member of the Parents Advisory Cabinet, Calendar Committee, Building Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Personnel Committee, and Fine Arts Committee at Dutch Fork High School. This dedication led to a successful run for school board in 2000 where he served for the next 20 years on the District Five board of trustees. He served as board secretary, vice chair, and then chairman. He described his involvement as, “A true labor of love for SD5 and the students. D5 was so good to me and my family. I will be forever indebted.” Robert was honored in 2021 when he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Dutch Fork High School Hall of Fame. Robert also advocated for public education at the state and national level, leading as President of the South Carolina School Boards Association and on the National School Boards Association. As a result of this advocacy, Robert and Laura met several lifelong friends. Robert and his family savored spending their summer vacations at Bonclarken in Flat Rock, NC. They shared their love of Bonclarken with many friends and family. Like everything else Robert loved, he did it hand in hand with Laura. Robert and Laura made their dream a reality when they bought their little red Bonclarken cottage in 2009. Robert served as the president of the Bonclarken homeowners association. He loved mountain days filled with porch swings, walks, bike rides, swimming, rope courses, nibble nook ice cream during praise and worship, lightening bugs, lemonade stands and feeling a bit closer to God. Robert hopes his family will forever enjoy and support Bonclarken. Robert was passionate about many things as noted above, but above all, he loved the Lord and his family. He was a real family man – he cherished his wife, and they were a real team. Together they poured time and love into their children and grandchildren. Robert took his names “Dad” and “Papa” very seriously. He was frequently eating lunch with his children and grandchildren at school, walked with them to class on first days, and attended every sporting and arts event. Even those who married into the family benefited from his involvement in the things they loved. Robert was warm, present, and engaged in his family’s life. Robert never met a stranger and he loved life. He made everyone feel special because they truly were special to him. A few things you may not have known about Robert - he loved dogs and frequently made strays into adored pets. He enjoyed tinkering with and sharing his childhood train set with his family. He liked baseball cards and curated an enviable collection. He enjoyed music – taking piano lessons in his 60s, and going to several concerts in his last months including Elton John and Pit Bull less than a month ago. He really loved trees and the pomp and circumstance of graduations. He cherished his dad’s green 1951 Plymouth. He enjoyed the Carl Sandburg National park and loved National parks in general. He was proud of the USA and appreciated firework displays, hot dogs, James Dean, JFK, ringing horseshoes, and playing marbles. He enjoyed waterfalls and icy swimming moments. He was always happy to “smoke up the neighborhood” by grilling out. He enjoyed doing anything his grandkids were into, even 7 AM outings to see the “boom-boom” trash trucks collect garbage. He loved watching Laura Katherine’s dance performances, and deep talks with Scarlett and Gantt while on golf cart rides or reading bedtime stories. Robert loved all these things more when his wife was by his side. What he didn’t like… steam rollers frightened him as a child. Robert’s faith in God was solid. He leaned hard into our Lord as he bravely battled pancreatic cancer for nearly 5 years. He shared his strength and faith with all he knew and deeply cared for Dr. Minter and the SCOA staff who fought alongside him. He was also thankful for all his medical caregivers including Doctors Schumacher, Abdulrahman, Maylath, Prosser, Mason, and Singh. Robert and his family will be forever thankful to Prisma Hospice who provided incredible care. During his battle with cancer, his faith only grew stronger. And while this diagnosis was terrible, Robert never complained and counted it all a blessing because it allowed them all to richly appreciate the small graces in life. Robert is predeceased by his parents Kate and Wade Hampton Gantt, and his in-laws Edna Harris and Horace Carlton Smith. He is survived by his wife Laura Elizabeth Smith Gantt, daughters Elizabeth Ross Gantt (Jason) Perla of Chapin, Edna Katherine Gantt (Keith) Gettys of Greenville, and Laura Jane Gantt of Chapin, his beloved grandchildren, Laura Katherine Perla of Chapin, and Scarlett Grace and Gantt Thurman Gettys of Greenville, survived by his sister Linda Kay Gantt (Jim) Boyd of Gulfport, MS, sister-in-law Franceen Smith Wells, brother-in-law Horace Carlton (Lynn) Smith, nieces and nephews Garrick Boyd, David Boyd, Katie Wydra, Ele Roberts, Abby Wells, Carlie Smith, Justin Smith, and Matthew Smith. Robert was a lover of life and it loved him back. He had a way of enjoying the small things in life and transforming them into special moments. He had an unshakable faith, and a warm spirit that impacted his community, and we know he is enjoying Heaven in a way that we can only imagine. You are invited to a service celebrating his life on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at 2 pm at Union United Methodist Church in Irmo, followed by a visitation at the church. The burial will be on Monday, November 21, 2022, at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2 pm. Temples-Halloran funeral home is presiding over the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions made in Robert’s name to Bonclarken or to Project Purple. https://www.bonclarken.org/donations/mountainclub/ https://donate.projectpurple.org/campaign/purple-360/c336730