Robert Leslie Blyth

Robert Leslie Blyth, loving husband and father, passed away peacefully in his sleep in his own home on April 6,2011. He was a joyous Christmas gift for Leslie Armstrong and Catherine Angela Roddy Blyth born on Christmas Day in 1921 in Charleston. Les is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Evelyn Soubeyroux Blyth, three sons, Robert , James (and his wife Jacquelyn), and Daniel, and a daughter, Patricia Kinne Simonin (and her husband, Steven); seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol, and brothers Thomas, Kenneth, and sister Anna. Les is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Les attended Murray Vocational School and was a member of the cross country track and boxing teams. On August 12, 1942 he joined the V-5 Navy cadet program in Pensacola. He was awarded his wings and was commissioned as an Ensign. During World War II, he was a member of the VF-23 and VF-27 squadrons and was stationed aboard the USS Princeton and the USS Independence. Flying his F6F Hellcat, he shot down six and a half planes which earned him the title of Ace pilot. While aboard the Princeton, the aircraft carrier was hit by a lone Kamikaze and sunk. For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two gold stars and the Air Medal with three gold stars. Following his service in WWII, he attended and graduated from The Georgia Institute of Technology as an Architectural Engineer. Les was a charter member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. (The first home that he and Evelyn owned in Charleston was of his design.) He was recalled into active duty and served two years flying his Corsair off the USS Tarawa protecting the Mediterranean during the Korean War. Les continued to serve his country in the Naval Reserves during which time he served as skipper of a S2F anti-sub squadron. He retired as Commander in 1966. Les enjoyed his many years working as an engineer for the Charleston Naval Shipyard and the Southern Division of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Upon retirement from that career, he owned his own real estate company, sold life insurance for A.L. Williams, and was the owner of the Charleston Swamp Foxes Arena Football Team. In retirement, Les and Evelyn traveled abroad to see many of the sights of this beautiful world. Always proud of his career as a Naval Pilot, Les was a volunteer on the USS Yorktown regaling countless visitors with his stories of a US Naval Ace. Many fans asked and received his autograph. Les was often invited to recount his life story to school children and civic organizations. Of the 1,442 brave and special men featured in the American Fighter Aces Association's 1996 memorial album, Les was one of the last surviving WWII Ace Pilots in our area. Active in many areas, Les was a member of MOAA, the Navy League, the American Fighter Aces Association, NARFE, and the Irish Historical Society, among others. He was a Cub Scout leader and Boy Scout Scoutmaster. Les was a 4th Degree Knight of the Rev. P.N. Lynch Council, No. 704, Knights of Columbus Society. (He enjoyed many hours taking quarters away from his Poker buddies.) Les was a founding member of the Blessed Sacrament Church Perpetual Adoration and was a member of the Men's Club. A loving husband, father, and friend, Les will be missed by all. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Leslie Blyth are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will be in St. Lawrnece Cemetery. The family will receive friends this Friday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to either Blessed Sacrament Church, Building Fund 5 St. Teresa Dr. Charleston, SC 29407 or to a Charity of One's Choice . His Guestbook may be signed at www.jamesamcalister.com Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER Funerals & Cremation 766-1365