Robert Irving Uhl

Robert Irving ”Bob” Uhl died on Sunday, June 11, 2017, one day after celebrating his 94th birthday. Born in Schenectady, NY, to Harry and Florence Uhl, he moved to Atlanta, GA at age 3. His beloved wife of 67 years, Mary Spencer Uhl, predeceased him in April 2015. His family includes three daughters, Rev. Virginia (Rev. David) Tinsley of Young Harris, Helen (Dr. John) Simmons of Peachtree Corners, and Carolyn (Dr. Stephen) Knight of Atlanta. Grandchildren are Christa (Holden) Tinsley Spaht, Dr. Rob (Dr. Chris Martens) Simmons, Ben (Frances) Tinsley, Elizabeth (Dr. Rob) Simmons Sellers, Daniel (Tenisha) Tinsley, and Kelsey Knight and 2 great-grandchildren, Benjamin Tinsley and Mary Margaret Sellers. He is also predeceased by a brother, Charles Uhl, of Ithaca, NY.
Bob graduated from Druid Hills High School and then attended Georgia Institute of Technology and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. His education at Georgia Tech was interrupted by his placement in the Army Specialized Training Program. When the Army had a demand in Europe for those who had completed basic training, Bob left the ASTP to join the 44th Infantry Division and was sent to France where he entered combat in Fall 1944 as a G.I. Private First Class. He referred to his duty as “a walking tour of Europe sponsored by Uncle Sam,” serving 230 days in combat as Bazooka Man and Platoon Runner in Company K, 114th Infantry regiment, 44th Infantry Division, 7th Army. He often expressed appreciation in remembering the sacrifice of his 28 buddies from Company K who lost their lives in combat.
After his honorable discharge from the Army in December 1945, Bob returned to Atlanta to complete his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech. He met Mary at a Young Adult group picnic at Glenn Memorial Methodist Church and they were married in 1948. He began his engineering career with General Electric in NY, and after several years took a position with West Point Manufacturing Company, West Point, GA, where he had 39 years of continuous service. He retired in 1988 as Director of Engineering for WestPoint Pepperell.
Both Bob and Mary were devoted to their children and grandchildren and they particularly loved having family together at their 2nd home in the western NC mountains. The United Methodist Church was a way of life and focus of energy for Bob and Mary where Bob served in almost every leadership position, and as a Sunday School teacher at Langdale (AL) United Methodist Church and West Point (GA) First United Methodist Church. He was a dedicated Boy Scout leader and volunteer and received the Silver Beaver Award. He was also active in the West Point Lion’s Club and numerous other local organizations.
Bob and Mary moved from West Point. GA to Atlanta to Clairmont Place 14 years ago and more recently Bob moved to The Montclair. After moving to Atlanta, Bob volunteered regularly at the VA Hospital and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year.
A memorial service will be held at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on Friday, June 23 at 2 pm with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Witness to War Foundation, or the charity of your choice. The Witness to War Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3), dedicated to capturing the stories of individual combat veterans. Bob’s interview may be found and donations may be made at witnesstowar.org or 5555 Triangle Pkwy. Suite 300, Norcross, GA 30092.