Robert Teeple

ROBERT PERRY TEEPLE died October 10, 2011, under the auspices of HRMC Hospice and in the gentle care of HRMC staff and his family. He was born March 21, 1921, in Columbia, SC, and lived happily in Maggie Valley, NC, for the past eleven years since his marriage to Tobi Teeple. He was the son of the late Perry McKee and Laura Elizabeth Miller Teeple. He was employed for more than 40 years by Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company in Jacksonville, FL, Atlanta, GA, Columbia, SC, and Cooperstown, NY. He was a graduate of Landon High School in Jacksonville, an Electrical Engineering graduate of Auburn University, class of 1948, and a member of engineering and other honor societies. He was an Eagle Scout. Bob "Teep" Teeple served as a WWII fighter pilot in North Africa and Italy in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was shot down by enemy aircraft, sustained significant injuries, and was held as a prisoner of war by German forces for 10 ½ months. He received the Purple Heart and other commendation honors and was medically retired as a Captain. For the past 29 years, he has delighted in attending reunions of the 86th Fighter-Bomber Group in diverse parts of the country. Among his other joys in life were Telephone Pioneers and Silver Wings activities, card games and jigsaw puzzles with family and friends, Jeopardy, word play and the night sky. He is survived by his wife Tobi (Maybelle Hulin Lane Teeple). Others surviving him include his children Bunny, Beth and Van (Ann Burnette Teeple Sheffield and husband John, Elizabeth Perry Whitney-Teeple and husband Bob Whitney, Robert Vanstory Teeple and wife Angie); his four grandchildren Anna and Perry Sheffield and Andrew and Elise Teeple, his sister Laura Elizabeth Nehls and niece and nephews, and many other loving extended family members. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2011, 1 PM, at First Baptist Church Maggie Valley, his church home since moving to North Carolina. Prior to that, he served for many years as an elder at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. The family will receive friends following the services at the church. His family expresses immense gratitude for the quiet presence and assistance of HRMC staff and Hospice, and for nearly two years of cheerful, patient help from Care Angels. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to consider a memorial gift in his honor.

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