Obituary

Robert G. Hull, Jr., “Bob,” passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025, at his home in West Palm Beach, FL, at the age of 83. He was surrounded by his wife of 64 years, Elma; his five children, and extended family. Bob was a man of Faith, as well as the very core of his family. He was an endless source of kindness and love, bringing to his family steadfast wisdom, courage, loyalty, and support.

Bob was born in Charleston, WV, on February 9, 1941, to Robert “Glenn” Hull, Sr. and mother Kathleen. Bob was a dedicated student. He attended St. Anthony Catholic School and was double-promoted. He graduated from Charleston Catholic High School in 1958, was a member the Student Body Council and was an outstanding athlete. After completing high school, Bob attended Wheeling College with an academic scholarship, then finished his Mechanical Engineering Degree at West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1963.

Bob started his engineering career in 1963 with Alcoa Aluminum in Tennessee and Indiana before returning to Charleston in 1965, where he began a career with Union Carbide Corporation. Within Carbide, Bob held many engineering management and executive positions at the Institute and South Charleston, WV, plants. He was also a Representative for Carbide for the Kanawha-Putnam Emergency Planning Commission, as well as a representative on the board of Miss Utility of West Virginia. Bob retired from active service as a longtime employee of Union Carbide on May 31, 2001, a proud “Carbider.”

Bob was involved in civic activities throughout his lifetime, serving as a Boy Scout Leader of Troop 163; as President of Elkland Pool; and active in the WV Hunters Association and the NRA. For many years, he owned and operated Outdoor Supply, a vendor of hunting and camping equipment and firearms.

No love of Bob’s was truer or deeper than the love he had for his wife, Elma. Their love connection began at the end of 8th grade and they shared 64 blissful years of marriage, an inspirational story of immeasurable love and dedication. Bob and Elma’s love was pure and unwavering. When one would say I love you, the other would reply, “I love you more,” next “I love you the mostest,” the final reply “I love you for infinity.” Together, Bob and Elma raised four daughters and one son.

Bob was a hard worker and loved to have fun. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to travel in the United States and abroad. He and Elma enjoyed many years of camping with their children and with each other in their empty nest years. Bob loved nature and trees and was known to always carry his infamous tree book in his pocket on all the family camping trips.

Bob enjoyed his annual fishing and hunting trips with his family and friends. His keen intellect and organizational abilities were put to the test in the planning and execution of the details involved in driving 27 hours, non-stop to the Great Northwoods of Canada and enduring the cold climate fishing for Northern Pike and Walleye. His engineering prowess was crucial to the design and construction, from scratch, of both a sawmill and log hunting cabin in the wilds of West Virginia located at Pickens.

Bob especially loved spending time on his farm. He cherished the times spent with his family celebrating holidays and birthdays, hunting, riding, bailing hay and bush hogging. On the summer evenings, Bob enjoyed sitting with Elma, hand in hand, watching the sun slip beneath the horizon and the clouds painting the sky with vibrant hues of pink, orange and purple.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert “Glenn” Hull, Sr. and Kathleen, and brother, Thomas W. Hull.

Bob is survived by his wife, Elma of West Palm Beach, FL; daughters, Kathy Garten, Julia (Oscar) Michael, Deborah (Sidney) Davis and Terri Hull; son, Bobby Hull; brother, David (Cindy) Hull; sisters, Joyce (John) Gerlits and Paula (Jerry) Hoover; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and many loving relatives.

Bob’s religious affiliation has always been with the Roman Catholic Church. At a young age, he served as an altar boy and continued his devoted service to the church through the years as a lector and usher. Bob was known for his incredible integrity. He never met a stranger and was known to be a good Samaritan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston, WV. The Rev. Fr. Donald X. Higgs will officiate. Burial at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery will immediately follow.

Visitation will begin one hour prior at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to Veterans Groups serving U.S. Veterans. Among these might be Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org); Disabled American Veterans (DAV.org) and/or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW.org).

Condolences may be sent to Bob’s family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.