Robert (Bob) Joseph McNish

Robert Joseph "Bob" McNish, husband of Eleanor Spruill McNish, died Wednesday, June 16, 2021, of Alzheimer's and other complications, at Still Hopes Assisted Living Community. Born January 2, 1932 in Jefferson City, TN, he was the youngest of five children, a son of Mack Leonard and Minerva Howard McNish. He graduated from Jefferson City High School where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. After high school, he served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was awarded the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, South Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Following service in Korea, he was assigned to the Air Force Operational Testing Center at Eglin AFB, in Florida. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 1958. He worked for Molded Products Co., Molded Fiber Glass Co., Koppers Co., and Morrison Molded Fiber Glass Co., in Bristol, VA, Shakespeare Co. in Newberry, SC and Columbia, SC, and PPG Industries, Inc., in Columbia, SC, and Pittsburgh, PA. He retired in 1997 from the fiberglass industry after 39.5 years. He was instrumental in the early development, production, sales and marketing of fiberglass radomes, pultrusion products and light poles. He was associated professionally with the Society of Plastic Engineers, American Society of Testing and Materials, NEMA Committee for Distribution and Transmission Hardware, International Illuminating Society, ASTM Committee for Highway Materials and the Society of Plastics Industry. Following retirement, he was a van driver for the Senior Program at Irmo Chapin Recreation Center, Seven Oaks Park in Irmo, SC. In 2008, he was awarded Irmo Chapin Recreation Center's Community Spirit Award. He was also a volunteer for Adopt-A-Highway Program and Meals-on-Wheels. He worked part-time for Irmo Auto Supply. He was a member of St. Simon and St. Jude Episcopal Church, Irmo, SC. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; his son, Robert Joseph McNish, Jr.; his daughter, Leslie McNish (Kim); his grandson, Jared Mathia; his sister, Katy Miller; nieces Sherri Sartain (Ronnie), Kay Fawbush (Mickey), stepdaughter, Norie Smith; stepson, Stewart Smith (Lorraine); stepson, Edmund Smith (Stephanie); sisters-in-law, Louisa Mack Riddick (Dan), Marion Spruill; brothers-in-law, James Spruill (Sarah) and W. Duvall Spruill (Jody, deceased); five step grandchildren, Alex (Hannah), Daniel (Sarah), Caroline and Rebecca Smith; and his Godson, Foster Smith. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; two sisters, Eula and Polly; a brother, Mack McNish, Jr., and niece Beverly Knisley (John). The family wants to thank the staff at Still Hopes for their excellent care. A burial service will be held at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Jefferson County at 11:00 am on Saturday July 31, 2021. Afterward, everyone is invited to Alpha Baptist Church in Morristown for lunch and fellowship. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pets, Inc., 300 Orchard Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169, the first home of his beloved cat Diablo, or to a charity of one's choice. Farrar Funeral Home is handling the local burial arrangements.