Chaplin, Robert Rogers

Robert Rogers Chaplin, age 85, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at Penick Village in Southern Pines. Bob was born February 14, 1926 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Allen and Florence Chaplin. He grew up in Maine where his family moved during the Depression. He graduated from the University of Maine where he also worked as an announcer for the Bangor radio station. A year after graduation, he joined the W.T. Grant Company and over the years he managed stores in all the New England states plus North Carolina. Then Bob was promoted to Executive Vice President and moved into an office in the Grant building in Times Square, New York where he worked until 1976. Bob then bought a card and gift store in Charlotte, N.C. that year which he ran successfully for 9 years. During that time, he and his wife traveled extensively. He then sold the business and retired to Whispering Pines to a new home on Spring Valley Lake. Bob enjoyed playing golf at CCWP where he was on the beautification committee. He also volunteered for years at Moore Regional Hospital. He was a very loving grandfather, called “Biggie” by all his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Betty Chaplin, sons, Mark Chaplin and wife Jessica of Middlesex, VT, Steve Chaplin and wife Sue of Midlothian, VA, daughters, Nancy Garrett and husband Sam of Virginia Beach, VA, Laurie Bentsen and husband Jim of North St. Paul, MN, 11 grandchildren, brother Jack Chaplin and wife Gloria of Ft. Myers, FL, a sister, Carolyn Grant of South Portland, ME. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 10:00 AM Saturday, March 5, 2011 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Southern Pines, NC by Msgr. Jeffrey A. Ingham. The family will receive friends at the Church Hall following the service. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Penick Village Foundation, P.O. Box 2001, Southern Pines, NC 28388.