Robert Curtis Blake

Robert Curtis Blake, 71, of Chester, SC, died June 28, 2022, at Chester Medical Center. He was born December 22, 1950, in Charlotte, NC, the second and youngest child of the late Jesse Lee Blake of Thomasville, NC and Ruby Warden Blake Helms Dorsett of Chester, SC.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Slaten Blake; his daughter, Susan Blake Rovner (Lee); grandchildren, Ashley Rovner Van Dyke (Chase) and Zachary Ryan Rovner of Cumming, GA; his brother, James William Blake (Teresa) of Mooresville, NC, and their children and grandchildren.

Bob received his education at Elizabeth Elementary School, Albemarle Road Junior High School, Independence High School, Central Piedmont Community College, and York Technical College. In junior high and high school, he played football and ran track. In high school he was also on the wrestling team.

Bob showed his entrepreneurship early by carrying three paper routes during grade school and running the Garden City, SC pier shop during the summer in his teen years. He owned two restaurants in Charlotte:  New York Ltd., where he met his future wife, and Lazy Bob’s Slow Restaurant, designed by his fiancée. In Chester County, SC, he and his wife owned and operated Molly Morgan’s Fine Eating Establishment, Chester Hunting and Fishing Supply, Richburg Lawn and Tractor Supply, and Robert C. Blake Land Development Company. In addition to selling individual home lots and mini-farms, he developed several subdivisions including Farmwood, Cornwell Woods, Cornwell Knolls, and Shiloh Farms. Bob also owned and managed large timberland tracts according to tree farm and forest industry Best Management Practices and Sustainable Forest Management guidelines.

When not self-employed, Bob worked at Akers Motor Lines (1968-1973), Duke Power (1970-1976), Boise Cascade/Willamette Industries/Weyerhaeuser Company (1983-2003), Synsil Products (2005-2006), and CA Specialties Ltd. (2007-2009).

Bob was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. Bob was particularly interested in encouraging children to participate in sports by coaching Pop Warner football and teaching fishing, hunting, and sportsmanship.

Bob had a big heart and giving nature. His generosity significantly affected the lives of many people. Please honor his memory by helping others. Make a difference! He did!

A remembrance gathering will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 7, at Barron Funeral Home, 133 Wylie Street, Chester, SC.

Private interment will be at Belmont Abbey Cemetery, 100 Belmont–Mount Holly Road, Belmont, NC.

Online condolences may be made at www.barronfuneralhome.com .