ROBERT JAMES ARBUTHNOT, age 89 years, a resident of Elkins, WV departed this life Tuesday afternoon, June 15, 2010 at the West Virginia Veteran’s Nursing Facility at Clarksburg, WV.
He was born Thursday, September 2, 1920 at County Tyrone, Northern Ireland a son of the late Charles Dobbin Arbuthnot and Margaret JoAnn Boyles “Annie” Arbuthnot. On October 16, 1941 at the Saint Brendan Catholic Church in Elkins, WV he was married to the former Magdalen Elizabeth “Lena” Heckel, who preceded him in death October 17, 1996. They had celebrated fifty-three years of marriage. Surviving are one son; David Neil Arbuthnot, Sr. and wife Kathleen, Morgantown; one daughter; Monica Jeanne Busick and husband Daniel, Jessup, MD; one brother, Alexander “Alex” Arbuthnot, Elkins; nine grandchildren, David Neil Arbuthnot, Jr. and wife Jolene; James Andrew Arbuthnot; Helena Rene Shriver and husband Brian; Sarah Annette Hagedorn and husband Justin; Corey Jared Travis; Jesse Scott Travis and wife Jennifer; Dane Anthony Busick; Emma Magdalen Arbuthnot and Brendan Robert Arbuthnot, five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are three brothers, Charles, Grant and Jerome Arbuthnot; four sisters, Mary McCauley; Margaret Biller; Ruhama Taylor and Elma Taylor.
He attended the schools of Randolph County, was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U. S. Navy, had worked as a Trackman and a Crossman Watchman for the Western Maryland Railroad, and retired in 1980 from Chessie Systems Railroad as a welders helper and was a member of the Saint Brendan Catholic Church of which he was a former usher and a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 603. He was an avid WVU and Notre Dame football fan, was a noted gardener, had an incredible sense of humor, was an adult leader for the Randolph County 4-h, was a member of the H. W. Daniel’s Post # 29, American Legion. He loved to rabbit and squirrel hunt with his beloved beagles and was an avid trout and bass fisherman. The family would like to thank John McCauley, Sister Mary Ella Morrison, the staff of Colonial Place and the W V Veterans Nursing Facility and Howard and Georgia Blosser of Morgantown.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 6 to 8 PM, Friday. On Friday at 6:30 PM at the funeral home, a prayer service will be recited by Sister Mary Ella Morrison. On Saturday, June 19, 2010 Mr. Arbuthnot will be moved to the Saint Brendan Catholic Church where the Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 Noon. The Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs, VF will be the Presider and interment will follow at the Saint Brendan Cemetery at Elkins, WV, where the H. W. Daniel’s Post # 29, American Legion and the Tygart’s Valley Post # 3647, Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct full military rites. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the W V Veterans Nursing Facility, One Freedoms Way, Clarksburg, WV 26301.
