Robert E. McClure III died on May 13, 2024, in York, Pennsylvania. He was known for his steadfast love and care for his wife and ­­­­his family, sense of humor with the best one-liners, wise counsel in the midst of troubles and his love for the Lord that impacted every area of his and his family’s life. Bob left a legacy of interests that he shared with family and friends.  He gardened and grew roses.  He hiked and enjoyed photography. He read voraciously and surrounded himself with classical music.  A Renaissance man, indeed.

Born Nov. 23, 1925, in Tracy, Minnesota, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Helen Cooper McClure. In World War II, he went from his Southmont High School, Johnstown, classroom straight to basic training and then to the Pacific Theater. In the invasion of Okinawa in 1945, his Army mortar squad, dug in at a makeshift hilltop emplacement, sustained fire from its rear. Robert was badly burned from the explosion of chemical shells. He recovered from his combat wounds in a hospital in the Philippines – for which he later was awarded a Purple Heart. Somewhere in this transport, he recuperated in caves that served as tombs. When he returned to his unit, it had been decimated from Okinawa fighting. Friendly fire had saved his life.

Upon his military discharge with the rank of staff sergeant, he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and married Betty Pebley McClure in 1950. They have four children, Robert E. (Carol) McClure IV of Upper Sandusky, Ohio; James (Della) McClure of York; Donald (Enid) McClure of York; and Margaret (Richard) Ramage of York; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Bob and Betty celebrated 71 years of marriage before her death in 2021.

In his early years as a scientist with Olin Corp., he received patents for his work on developing processes that produced the active ingredient in Head & Shoulders shampoo. He worked for Olin for more than 40 years. He and Betty moved from Brandenburg, Ky., to York 17 years ago to live near children. He was a member of Providence Presbyterian Church in Manchester Township. An active reader at the age of 98, he enjoyed for years when his Science and Scientific American magazines arrived in the mail.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at Providence Presbyterian Church, 1215 Church Road, York. Pastor Vince Wood will officiate. Private burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MM Family Career Opportunity Fund for Logos Academy, York County Community Foundation, 14 W. Market St., York, Pa. 17401.