Robert David “Bob” Stiles, Sr. CPCU, CLU, ARM, 70, of Chickamauga, died on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 in a local hospital after a five-month battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Bob was born on Sept. 30, 1942, to the late James Park Stiles, Sr. and Mary Reese Stiles of Lafayette. He was a 1960 graduate of Lafayette High School and went on to graduate from West Georgia College with a BA of Economics in 1965. After graduating college, he met his wife and sweetheart, Catherine Davis Stiles, while playing tennis at a city park in Atlanta. They married on August 23, 1969 in Norfolk, Va.
While living in Atlanta, Bob began his career in the insurance business working for The Hartford Insurance Company. Bob and Catherine moved back to the North Georgia area in 1970, and they purchased Flegal Insurance in Rossville from the Flegal family at that time. This purchase allowed Bob to become the third generation in the Stiles’ family to be in the Insurance Business in Walker County. The Stiles family built their home in Chickamauga in 1978 where they have lived ever since. Bob was a longtime member of Grace Episcopal Church in Chattanooga where he served in many capacities including chairman of the Vestry. He was currently a member of the Church of the Nativity in Ft. Oglethorpe, the Gordon Pond Fishing Club in Lafayette, and Council Fire Golf Club. He also attended many events at the Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church in Chickamauga and he served his country in the United States Air National Guard.
Bob was a well-respected citizen of Walker County who supported and contributed to countless community organizations. He served as chairman of the board for the Young Agents of Georgia (1974-1975), Foundation Board for Hutcheson Medical Center (1994-1998), and Insurors of Chattanooga (1982). He also served on several boards including the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, the North Georgia YMCA, West Georgia College Board of Trustees, the Classic 150, Northwest Georgia Girl’s Home, The Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, and numerous other boards. While being the owner and operator of Flegal Insurance, Bob received numerous awards including, Walker County Citizen of the Year, Walker County Small Business of the Year, Walker County Chamber Member of the Year, Edgar Dunlap Award with the IIAG, Boss of the Year from the Insurance Women of Chattanooga, North Georgia YMCA Volunteer of the Year, and many others.
Bob was a compassionate, kind, and generous man who had a willing spirit to help anyone in need. He was a wonderful father who was greatly involved with his children from Boy scouts, camping trips, to taking them on “Wally World” vacations. His passions in life were his family, spending time with his grandsons teaching them about golf, the Civil War, and the Stiles family history. He also greatly enjoyed watching cartoons, the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Atlanta Falcons with his grandsons, golfing, traveling to St. Simons Island for vacation, and collecting antique cars, his favorite being his 1960 S2 Bentley.
He was preceded in death by his loving sweetheart of 42 years, Catherine Davis Stiles; and brother, James Park “Jimmy” Stiles, Jr.
Survivors include his three children, Robert David Stiles, Jr. (Cary) of Chickamauga, Wilson Webb Stiles, Sr. (Chrissy) of Ft. Oglethorpe, Laura Stiles Eldridge (Todd) of Chickamauga; sister, Peggy McKown of East Ridge; six beloved grandsons “his six pack”, Ryan Foster Eldridge, Reece Steven Eldridge, Davis Todd Eldridge, Robert David Stiles, III “Tripp”, Wilson “Webb” Stiles, Jr., and Benjamin Reynolds Stiles; sister-in-law, Nancy Stiles of Gainesville, Ga.; nieces and nephews, David (Cynthia) McKown, Lane (Konnie) McKown, Linda (Garry) Day, Susan (Barry) Shields, and Sandra (Joe) Collier; special friends, Peggy Ball and her daughter, Sheena English and Fran Hartis; and caregiver, Diane Parker.
Condolences may be sent to www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at 230 East Ohio Street Suite 304 Chicago, IL 60611; online at www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/donate; or by phone at 888-733-6741. Or to the Al Millard Stockings Full of Love c/o Walker County Sheriff’s Office at 105 South Duke Street Lafayette, GA 30728 or by phone at 706-638-1909 ext 276
Mr. Stiles’ wishes were to have a private family funeral and interment service. The interment will be in the Chickamauga City Cemetery.
A public visitation will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24, from 4-8 p.m. at the Walker County Civic Center in Rock Spring, Ga.
Bob’s wishes were to have a “Party” in celebration of his life. The time and place will be announced later.
Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, at the end of Historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.