Robert Campbell Lake Jr.

Robert C. “Bob” Lake, Jr.
December 27, 1925 - May 13, 2013

Bob was born in Whitmire, South Carolina to Robert C. Lake, Sr. and Susan Howze Lake. He graduated the Whitmire public schools where his father was Superintendent. Bob enrolled at the University of South Carolina and graduated after a short interruption for service in the US Army. Bob completed his studies at the University of South Carolina School of Law and returned to Whitmire where he began a legal career of 52 years.

Bob was a public servant. He served in many capacities the people of the Town of Whitmire, the County of Newberry and the State of South Carolina. This service included; Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Elder & Elder Emeritus of the Whitmire Presbyterian Church; Representative to General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA; American Legion Post #70; Town of Whitmire Clerk, Treasurer and Attorney; Town of Whitmire Development Board; Newberry County Development Board; Newberry County Attorney; Newberry County Foundation Hospital Board; Chairman and Executive Committee Member; Newberry County Democratic Party and National Convention Representative; Board of Visitors of Wofford College, Clemson University and Columbia College; Winthrop University Board of Trustees; Member Emeritus Medical University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, & Board of Directors of the Health Sciences Foundation of the Medical University of South Carolina; South Carolina Senate (1968-1984); and Potentate of Hejaz Shrine Temple and emeritus member board of Shriner’s Hospital of North America.

Bob was most proud of his contributions to improving education and to his service to the Hejaz Shrine Temple. Bob authored the Bill which created the second state medical school now located in Columbia. He was instrumental in the passage of the Education Finance Act of 1984 as well as bills which effected teacher improvement and restructured the commission on higher education. He was named Outstanding Legislator of the year by the SC School Board Association, SC Education Association and SC Association of School Administrators. He served in the Shrine Temple from 1952 and attended every Imperial session of the Shrine of North America and their 22 hospitals from 1960 until the time of his death. He was an emeritus member of the Board of Governors of the Shriners’ Hospital of Grenville, SC., Representative to the Imperial Council of the Imperial Shrine of North America and member Emeritus Juris Prudence and laws committee of the Imperial Shrine of North America.

Bob is survived by his wife Mary Anne DuBose Douglas Lake of Belton, SC and children Robert C. (Gerdi) Lake, III of Prosperity and Samuel Y. (Karen) Lake of Blythewood; grandchildren, Carolyn H. Lake, Robert C. Lake, IV, Jonathan M. Lake, Samuel A. Lake ,Elijah Y. Lake; step sons Lenoard W. Douglas, Jr. M.D., & Robert D. Douglas; step grandsons Matthew T. Douglas , J. Ryan Douglas and Robert D. Douglas, Jr; brother, Dr. John H. Lake, DDM of Ware Shoals; sister-in-laws, Margie Y. Leaman & Muriel H Lake of Whitmire. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his wife Carolyn G. Lake; daughter Sarah Linda G. Lake; brother Kemper D. Lake, MD of Whitmire.


Visitation will be at Gray Funeral Home on Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 6 until 8PM. Funeral services will be held at Whitmire Presbyterian Church Friday, May 17, 2013 at 11AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Greenville Shriners’ Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605; or AnMed Health Foundation, 800 North Fant Street, Anderson, SC 29621-5708; or Medical University of South Carolina Foundation, 18 Bee Street, MSC450, Charleston, SC 29425.