Obituary of Dr. Robert L. Chamberlain

Dr. Robert L. Chamberlain

Dr. Robert L. Chamberlain, longtime resident and physician of Buckhannon, died March 29, 2018 at Morgantown Health and Rehabilitation Center where he was a patient for three weeks. He now rests in the loving arms of God. He was born in Glen Dale, WV on July 10, 1921 to Paul Eugene and Lillian Smith Chamberlain. He was preceded in death by his parents and his "sweetheart", Sarah Elizabeth Rudasill Chamberlain, whom he married May 22, 1942; a younger brother, Lee; daughter-in-law, Barbara Lewis Chamberlain, surviving him are sons Richard and wife, Susan of Clarksburg, WV and Steven of Greensboro, NC. Daughters surviving are Mary Anne (Bob) Marner, Morgantown, WV; Carole Beth (Rick) Hodgkiss of San Diego, CA, and Elizabeth Chamberlain of Key West, Florida. In addition to his five children, he is survived by ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. His one surviving sister, Ruth Chigos is a resident of San Diego, CA. Dr. Chamberlain graduated Kingwood High School and graduated from WV Wesleyan College in 1942 where he later served as college and team physician for 41 years.  He was inducted into the WVWC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.  He attended WVU for pre-med studies and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia at Richmond. He was in the US Navy stationed as a physician along the East Coast, primarily in Virginia and Maryland from 1943-1947. After discharge from the Navy following the end of WWII, he practiced medicine in the Wheeling, WV area for a year before deciding that he would like to settle in Buckhannon, WV in 1949. He practiced medicine until his retirement in 1989 and was honored by being named “Mr. Doc” by the WV Academy of Family Physicians. His greatest professional joy was in the patients he treated and the relationships with them formed over the years. He felt a great sense of privilege and gratitude helping to usher in new life by delivering at least 2500 or more babies.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon since 1949 singing in the choir for 55 years and serving in various capacities on committees of the church. A gifted vocalist, he sang at funerals, weddings, and at the Strawberry festival as well as in a number of musicals performed by the local community theater. He served on the Upshur County Board of Education for 30 years. He considered it a great privilege to have presented all of his children their high school diplomas.  One of his favorite pastimes was golf. At the age of 88 he experienced the delight of golfers, a hole-in-one. He was a member of the Buckhannon Country Club for 55 years and the Rotary Club for 45 years.  He was a licensed pilot, enjoyed riding his unicycle and especially enjoyed riding bike trails with his beloved wife, Sarah. Also, he was prolific in doing cross stitch and completed many beautiful works which now hang prominently and proudly in the homes of family and friends. Being a man of insatiable curiosity, he used the Internet as a treasure trove in satisfying his hunger for answers to his questions. Dad, Pater, Doc, Doctor Bob, Grandpa Doc, all names by which he will be remembered. In his later years he was rarely seen without his sweet companion, a long-haired Dachshund, Diggy. He considered his greatest possessions to be his wonderful family and many good friends. He will be celebrated for his life devoted to caring and healing with compassion, kindness and exceptional love. Friends will be received Wednesday, April 4, 2018 from 5 to 8 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held 12 Noon Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon with the Rev. Steven Meadows officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon. Online condolences may be made to the family at ww.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

The funeral service will be recorded with a livebroadcast. After the funeral, the video will be reposted for viewing.