Robert O. (Bob) Stoner's Obituary
Robert O. Stoner (Bob) was born April 6, 1929 to Mary Olive and Lloyd Stoner in Duquesne, Pennsylvania and died peacefully at the age of 95 on January 15, 2025 in his beloved adopted hometown of Brevard, North Carolina.
Bob was remarkable from the start: winsome, bright, curious, talented, and motivated. He had an enviable mind and an astonishing memory all the days of his life; his opinions were as well considered as they were resolute, and his stories were vivid with detail.
As a teen, Bob won numerous awards and scholarships, including one from the NY Metropolitan Opera, for his gorgeous basso profondo voice. His lifelong devotion to music found its expression in a multitude of church choirs, classical performances, and in taking up the cello upon retirement.
Even as a child, Bob had a restless spirit and was always dreaming of the next adventure. In high school he bought a horse so that he might spend his weekends camping and exploring the woods and rivers of the Allegheny Mountains. At graduation he bought a biplane to carry him even further out into the world.
After high school Bob joined the Marines which provided an opportunity to travel and to explore the world yet more widely. It was while stationed at Camp Lejeune that he met and married Jacquelyn Simpson with whom he raised three grateful children. After his honorable discharge he earned a degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and launched a career in the steel and manufacturing industries. Always seeking the best for his family, as well as having a perpetual itch for something new, Bob quickly climbed the ranks of corporate management. His career advancement meant living in many different states which provided a rich diversity of life experience for his family.
It was in California that he met the love of his life, Marcia LeBlanc, whom he married in 1978. Bob’s one regret in life was that he and Marcy had only 46 years together. He was truly happy all those years and for that his whole family is deeply thankful. Bob and Marcy made several more moves together (that itch again) until arriving in Brevard where his dreams flourished in the music, mountains, rivers and woods of Western NC, and on his own back porch in Connestee Falls.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, brother Howard, nephew Jeff Stoner, and granddaughter Elizabeth West Rakowski. He is survived by his wife Marcy; sister-in-law Claudette (Guy) Hall, brothers-in-law Conrad (Marlene) LeBlanc and Paul LeBlanc; children Gary (Namped Triratanakul), Suzanne (Elliott West), and Brian (Pietro Cecchi); his nephew Tom Stoner; along with grandchildren Bill (Laura) West, Richard West, Garth West, and Anne (Danny McGeough) West; and great-grandchildren Jodie Riley, Christin (Chris) Vaskas, Noah (Hannah) West, Will West, and London West; and great-great grandchildren, Kenneth and Juliet Riley and Kate Vaskas.
A memorial Eucharist is to be held on Monday, February 17 at 2 p.m. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Brevard with the Rev. Elizabeth Roles presiding. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Brevard Music Camp or Habitat for Humanity.
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