Radspinner, Robert Shattuck

Robert Shattuck Radspinner, 91, of Blacksburg, Va., died January 28, 2011, at Kroontje Health Care Center, Blacksburg, Va. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 22, 1919 to the late William Asa and Catherine Bierhaus Radspinner. Mr. Radspinner’s early years were spent in Richmond, Va., where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. He went on to graduate from Virginia Tech, Class of 1941, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, one of the charter members of the Tech Glee Club, and in the first graduating Forestry class. His participation in church choirs and delight in music continued for many years. During this time he met the love of his life, Martha Snidow, of Pembroke, and they were married in 1942. Following this, he served his country during World War II in the 447th AAA AW Battery, attached to the 28th Infantry, and was awarded the Purple Heart for a wound received during the Battle of the Bulge. His professional career with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad spanned 38 years and included positions in West Virginia and Michigan. He retired as Superintendant of Reclamation at Barboursville, WV. In retirement they moved to Blacksburg, Va. where he did volunteer work with the Red Cross and was a member of the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. Prior to that, he was an active member of the Bates Memorial Presbyterian Church in Huntington, WV. He is survived by his wife, Martha Snidow Radspinner; his daughter, Martha Kennon Bowen and son-in-law, Roger Bowen, of Staunton, Va.; and son, Robert Eller and daughter-in-law, DeDe Radspinner, of Bluefield, W.Va. Grandchildren include Tucker Bowen and wife, Sabine Scherer, of Emeryville, Calif., Abby James and husband, Evan, of Nashville, Tenn. and Ryan Radspinner, of Virginia Beach, Va. Visitation for family and friends will occur on Monday, January 31, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. A memorial service to celebrate his life will follow at 2 p.m. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to American Red Cross, New River Valley, 616A West Main Street, Radford, VA 24141 or the Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands Inc, PO Box 545, Wytheville, VA 24382. Online condolences may be sent by visiting obituaries.roanoke.com. The arrangements are by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.