Obituary of Robert James Luttrell

Robert ‘Boots’ James Luttrell passed away peacefully in his sleep, Monday morning, June 1, 2020 at the age of 85. He was born July 29, 1934 to John Bernard and Helen Kervin Luttrell of Bayard Rd., Upper Darby, PA.  Bob attended St. Alice Parochial School in Upper Darby and West Catholic Boys High School, graduating in 1952.

 

While in Grammar school, Bob delivered the Upper Darby Newspaper and at age 14 started delivering groceries for Nestle Bros.   At 16 he started working at Havertown Printing Co. as a pressman, typesetter and compositor, following in his Father’s footsteps.   While working he attended night school for three years at Printing Industries of Philadelphia.

 

Bob joined the Navy Reserves in August 1952 and began active duty in January 1955.  Bob boarded the USS Aeolus (ARC-3) in Baltimore, MD and was part of the May 1955 Commissioning Crew making him a PLANKOWNER.   He was a Machinist Mate in the Engine Room and received his MM3 Rank in April 1956.  He was discharged from Active Service at Treasure Island, San Francisco, California in January 1957 and left the Reserves in February 1960.

 

Bob immediately returned to the printing industry at Pickering Press, Ketterlinus Litho & Mfg. Co., Foster Type and Equipment Company and returned to Havertown Printing in 1958.  During these years he attended night courses at Wharton School of Accounts and Finance at University of Pennsylvania.  In November 1963, he accepted a position at Shore Printing Co., in Lester, PA, then in 1965 went to work with Woodbury & Company out of Worcester, MA as a Sales Representative. 

 

In 1973 Bob became a Technical Representative for Weyerhaeuser Paper Company, first in their

Valley Forge, PA office and in 1977 transferring to the Atlanta, GA location.  In December 1989 Bob won the Weyerhaeuser George M. Slager Award, for exemplifying the principles of Achievement, Dedication and Leadership.  In September 1997 Bob retired from Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.

 

In September 1959, Bob married Irene Watts.  They have three children: Kevin, Renee and Joanmarie and during their marriage lived in Sharon Hill and Springfield, Delaware County, PA.

 

Bob met and later married Joyce Lankford Thornberry in Feb 1989. Bob loved traveling with his wife on many European cruises and tours as well as several Caribbean cruises.  Bob was of Irish descent and in 1996 made their first trip to County Cork and County Galway, where his descendants originated.  With much research done prior to their first trip to Ireland, they found his ties to the Luttrellstown Castle outside Dublin.   A total of six trips to were made meeting distant cousins and driving the beautiful countryside of Ireland.

 

Bob had a beautiful singing voice and loved to sing the oldies as well as the Irish songs, having sung the

Irish Wedding Song at many weddings, including his two daughters.  He enjoyed staying in touch with old school mates, work colleagues,  friends and especially enjoyed attending his school reunions.   In early 1990’s he started searching for crewmembers that he served with on the USS Aeolus (ARC-3) and in 2000 the first of many reunions began.

 

Bob and Joyce moved to The Villages, FL in December 2000, and continued to enjoy traveling, playing golf, enjoying music at town squares and many other activities.  He loved his friends and neighbors.

 

Bob is survived by his wife, Joyce Lankford Thornberry Luttrell, his children Kevin Luttrell of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Renee Luttrell-Cisco (Joseph) and Joanmarie Luttrell Reisen (Stephen), both of Chadds Ford, PA, four grandchildren – Trevor, Adam, Jared and Nicholas.  Stepson, Stephen Thornberry of the Philippines and step-grandchildren, Andy and Elizabeth, and brother Richard Joseph Luttrell of Turnersville, NJ.  He is pre-deceased by his parents, brother John and son Kerry, twin of Kevin.

 

In lieu of flowers, Bob loved our Military and supported organizations that help veterans. We have chosen two non-profits organizations that are rated by Charity Navigator as 4-stars:

 

                TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION -- - donate on line to:  tunnel2towers.org

                                 or their mailing address -- 1361 Hyland Boulevard, Staten Island, NY  10306

 

                AMERICA’S VET DOGS --  to donate go to their website:  www.vetdogs.org

                                or mail to:  371 East Jerico Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787

                                 

A private memorial service will be held.  Arrangements entrusted with HIERS-BAXLEY Funeral & Cremation Life Event Center, 352-775-7427.  Sentiments may be left online at www.hiers-baxley.com.

 

 

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