Robert Hunter

Robert (Bob) Kilmer Hunter was born on Armistice Day, November 11, 1922.  The significance of the day was not lost on the family, who gave his grandmother, who had lost a son in France in WWI, the right to name the child.  She named him Robert, after her lost son, and Kilmer, after her favorite poet, who also died overseas during the War.
Bob was a veteran of WWII. After enlisting at age 19, he worked to develop a "gun-laying" radar, used to direct anti-aircraft fire, and later established and maintained weather stations in 12 different countries to assist Allied troops in the liberation of France, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Crossing of the Rhine.  Bob climbed the Eiffel Tower to install a transmitter so Allied forces could home in on its signal to find Paris.
After the war Bob received his degree in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State University and returned to active duty to serve in the Korean Conflict.

After his discharge from the military, Bob worked for the Mississippi Power Company until his retirement in 1984 as Manager of Marketing. During his career he served as President of the Mississippi Society of Professional Engineers and was named Mississippi Engineer of the Year. He served as president of the Mississippi Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.  Bob also served on the Engineering Advisory Council of Mississippi State University.
Bob was an active member of the Kiwanis Club for over 50 years.  He received the Legion of Honor Award six times, was named as a George Hixon Fellow, and received the Kiwanis Centennial Award.
Bob was a member of the Gulfport Yacht Club, a charter member of the Scrap Iron Class of First Baptist Church of Gulfport, and a member of the Power Outages, from whom he received the Ambassador Award.
Bob's hobbies were hunting, fishing, and gardening. He enjoyed raising vegetables and sharing them with family, neighbors, and Feed my Sheep.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Carrie Hunter, and three brothers, Guthrie, Wayne, and Billy Moore.
He is survived by his brother, Gene, and his sister, Jerry Hunter Smith. Bob is also survived by his precious wife of 68 years, Nadine (Dean) Smith Hunter, and their children Rob (Carol) Hunter, of Birmingham, AL, and Cashiers, NC, Debbie (Randall) Perry, of Waco, TX, and Steve (Linda) Hunter, of Lafayette, LA.  Bob and Dean treasured their grandchildren Debbie (Francois) McGillicuddy, Robert (Courtney) Hunter, II, Kadee Hunter, Jonathan (Lindsey) Perry, Emily (Jeremy) Nance, Peyton (William) Cork, Killian Hunter, and Craig (Jamie) DeVillier, and their 14 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, 12609 Highway 15 South, Mantee, MS 39751 or the Scrap Iron Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church, Gulfport.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport.  The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in the funeral home chapel.  A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, 12609 Highway 15 South, Mantee, MS 39751.
Memories may be shared with the family at www.riemannfamily.com.