1921
Robert
2015
Robert Warren Sappenfield
October 13, 1921 — December 16, 2015
Bob Sappenfield
1921-2015
Charlotte - Robert Warren Sappenfield, 94, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2015 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in High Point, NC on October 13, 1921 to the late Fred Olive and Elizabeth Hayworth Sappenfield
Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be missed greatly! Many only knew him by the nick name of "Rook" he would often say, "no one knows RW Sappenfield"! He graduated in 1940 from High Point Central High School where he lettered in Golf 1938, 1939 and 1940; lettered in Football 1939 and 1940 and lettered in wrestling in 1938, 1939 and 1940. He was a (3) time state champion in NC in wrestling. After high school he received a scholarship to Appalachian State Teachers College where he wrestled and was coached by the Legendary Coach Red Watkins; the coach at Appalachian State at that time. Then came the War…, after being drafted in 1941, he was the first 20-year-old drafted into service in High Point. Finally, it came the day they had all been training for; they loaded up on a large cruiser ship set to go on June 5, 1944. The sea was to rough so the invasion was called off. Finally, they tried again on June 6, 1944, Dwight Eisenhower (5 star General) gives the word "GO". The BIG RED ONE, 1st Infantry Division. His boat went in a 7 am in the morning of June 6, 1944. He went in on the Beach at Omaha where the worst fighting was done on the Beaches of Normandy. Their mission was to set up aircraft protection from any German Fighter Planes that might appear, fortunately there were none. His outfit was the 29th Ranger Battalion. After they had made it to the sand dunes; he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. They furnished air protection as well as ground cover for any of the men and planes. He was a member of the 460th 101 First Infantry; they were there for about a month and then they moved on to "The Battle of The Huertgen Forest. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Huertgen Forest. He went into the War as a Private and came out as a 2nd Lieutenant with a Battlefield Commission. He was discharged in October 1945; right back where it all started four years earlier. He then started High Point College in September of 1945 and graduated in 1949. While at High Point College he was captain of the golf team all four years. The highlight of his collegiate golfing career, was beating Arnold Palmer in one of his matches while Arnold was attending Wake Forest University. Then he went on to Emory University and received a Masters Degree in 1950; while coaching golf and wrestling.
He then returned to High Point and rebuilt the wrestling program at High Point Central HS. As a coach, he lead the team to 3 North Carolina State Championship titles. From here he moved to Charlotte in the mid 1950's, he spent four years as the golf pro at The Charlotte Country Club. Bob later joined Dillard Paper Company as a salesman, where he served 43 years of dedicated service. Bob was inducted into High Point Central High School's Sports Hall of Fame as a wrestler and golfer. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifelong service and dedication to the sport of wrestling in North Carolina. Just recently on Veterans Day 2015, Bob was presented by France The Legion Medal of Honor for Services in World War II by The French Consulate at a special ceremony in Charlotte.
On September 1, 1956 he married the love of his life, Audrey Gaddy Sappenfield and they had three wonderful children; Tim, Rob and Elizabeth "Lisa".
Left to cherish his memories includes his loving wife of 59 years, Audrey Gaddy Sappenfield;
Children, Tim Sappenfield and wife Debbie of Belmont; Rob Sappenfield, Jr. and wife Kristie of Charlotte and Dr. Elizabeth "Lisa" Sappenfield Annan and husband Jason of Mt. Pleasant, SC;
6 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren
Services and Interment will be private
Condolences may be made to www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com
Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia 704-864-5144 is serving the Family.
1921-2015
Charlotte - Robert Warren Sappenfield, 94, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2015 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in High Point, NC on October 13, 1921 to the late Fred Olive and Elizabeth Hayworth Sappenfield
Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be missed greatly! Many only knew him by the nick name of "Rook" he would often say, "no one knows RW Sappenfield"! He graduated in 1940 from High Point Central High School where he lettered in Golf 1938, 1939 and 1940; lettered in Football 1939 and 1940 and lettered in wrestling in 1938, 1939 and 1940. He was a (3) time state champion in NC in wrestling. After high school he received a scholarship to Appalachian State Teachers College where he wrestled and was coached by the Legendary Coach Red Watkins; the coach at Appalachian State at that time. Then came the War…, after being drafted in 1941, he was the first 20-year-old drafted into service in High Point. Finally, it came the day they had all been training for; they loaded up on a large cruiser ship set to go on June 5, 1944. The sea was to rough so the invasion was called off. Finally, they tried again on June 6, 1944, Dwight Eisenhower (5 star General) gives the word "GO". The BIG RED ONE, 1st Infantry Division. His boat went in a 7 am in the morning of June 6, 1944. He went in on the Beach at Omaha where the worst fighting was done on the Beaches of Normandy. Their mission was to set up aircraft protection from any German Fighter Planes that might appear, fortunately there were none. His outfit was the 29th Ranger Battalion. After they had made it to the sand dunes; he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. They furnished air protection as well as ground cover for any of the men and planes. He was a member of the 460th 101 First Infantry; they were there for about a month and then they moved on to "The Battle of The Huertgen Forest. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Huertgen Forest. He went into the War as a Private and came out as a 2nd Lieutenant with a Battlefield Commission. He was discharged in October 1945; right back where it all started four years earlier. He then started High Point College in September of 1945 and graduated in 1949. While at High Point College he was captain of the golf team all four years. The highlight of his collegiate golfing career, was beating Arnold Palmer in one of his matches while Arnold was attending Wake Forest University. Then he went on to Emory University and received a Masters Degree in 1950; while coaching golf and wrestling.
He then returned to High Point and rebuilt the wrestling program at High Point Central HS. As a coach, he lead the team to 3 North Carolina State Championship titles. From here he moved to Charlotte in the mid 1950's, he spent four years as the golf pro at The Charlotte Country Club. Bob later joined Dillard Paper Company as a salesman, where he served 43 years of dedicated service. Bob was inducted into High Point Central High School's Sports Hall of Fame as a wrestler and golfer. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifelong service and dedication to the sport of wrestling in North Carolina. Just recently on Veterans Day 2015, Bob was presented by France The Legion Medal of Honor for Services in World War II by The French Consulate at a special ceremony in Charlotte.
On September 1, 1956 he married the love of his life, Audrey Gaddy Sappenfield and they had three wonderful children; Tim, Rob and Elizabeth "Lisa".
Left to cherish his memories includes his loving wife of 59 years, Audrey Gaddy Sappenfield;
Children, Tim Sappenfield and wife Debbie of Belmont; Rob Sappenfield, Jr. and wife Kristie of Charlotte and Dr. Elizabeth "Lisa" Sappenfield Annan and husband Jason of Mt. Pleasant, SC;
6 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren
Services and Interment will be private
Condolences may be made to www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com
Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia 704-864-5144 is serving the Family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Warren Sappenfield, please visit our flower store.
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