Robert Henry Cunningham II (Bob) died at the age of 91 on May 2, 2009 at Delray Medical Center. Mr. Cunningham lived in Abbey Delray South in Delray Beach, FL. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 20, 1918; he was the son of the late Robert H. and Florence Williams Cunningham.
Known as a loving, devoted and generous man by family and friends, he was a graduate of Ohio State University, majoring in civil engineering. He was a fifth generation member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. During his commission in the Navy, Mr. Cunningham continued graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied mechanical and ship engineering. He met his wife, the late Janet Bly Cunningham who was a native of California, also pursuing studies at UC-Berkeley.
During the World War Two, Mr. Cunningham served his country in the Aleutian Islands, building a naval base. He rose from the rank of Lieutenant JG to Commander of the USS PC 126. Following the war, he worked for Chevron in sales and marketing management until his retirement in 1966. He spent the next 15 years as a senior manager at General Services Administration, Public Building Service, Office of Design and Construction, in Washington, DC. During his career he attained the distinction as a 32nd degree Mason.
Mr. Cunningham's hobbies included world travel, boating, golf, hunting, and fishing. He was a talented cabinet maker who made exquisite furniture and tinkered with any and all household repairs for friends and neighbors. Mr. Cunningham was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Boynton Beach, FL.
Mr. Cunningham was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years in 1998. He is survived by two sons, Robert H. Cunningham III and his wife, Shirley of Virginia Beach, VA and Stephen Bly Cunningham and his wife, Amanda of Baltimore, MD; a daughter Janellen O'Connor of Ellicott City, MD as well as six grandchildren: Whitney D. Cunningham, Christine H. Cunningham, Laura L. Cunningham, Meredith Wissel and her husband John; Ryan O'Connor and his wife, Lori; and Megan O'Connor; and two great grandchildren: Sierra O'Connor and Max Wissel.
A celebration of Mr. Cunningham's life will be held 11am, Saturday, May 23, 2009 at Boynton Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made First Presbyterian Church of Boynton Beach at 235 SW 6th Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33435.