Dr. Robert Taylor Drew

Robert Taylor Drew, 82, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Cornelia Hoyt Drew died Wednesday, November 14, 2018. His memorial service will be held Saturday, November 24, 2018 in Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island at 3:00 pm. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC. MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL.

Bob was born April 22, 1936 in Red Bank, New Jersey, son of the late Jerome Bradley Drew and the late Jesse Taylor Drew. He attended Red Bank High School in Red Bank, New Jersey and graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy in Toms River, New Jersey. He graduated from Rensselear Polytechnic University with a BS in Biology (1958), New York University with an MS in Environmental Science (1962) and New York University with a Ph.D. in Environmental Health Science (1968).

He served as a distinguished research scientist throughout his thirty-year career. He was a Diplomat and Past President of the American Board of Toxicology, designing and managing toxicology labs at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences from 1970-1976 and the Brookhaven National Laboratory from 1976-1986. He was awarded the Herbert E. Stokinger award for Toxicology in 1987 and directed the Health and Environmental Sciences Department at the American Petroleum Institute from 1986-1997.

Bob loved sailing, woodworking, fishing, music, BBQ and, most of all, his family. He served many organizations over the years as a volunteer, building boats for the Setauket Yacht Club in the 1980's in Port Jefferson, New York, volunteering with the Suffolk County Girl Scouts, training with the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capitol, serving as an Elder at Setauket Presbyterian Church in Setauket, New York and Deacon at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, Virginia. He was also a Bass singer in the choir at Sunrise Presbyterian Church in Sullivan's Island, SC.

He was on the Board of Directors with Rappahannock Community College in Virginia, and volunteered for the Westmoreland County Fire Department, Westmoreland Housing Coalition, and Habitat for Humanity in Westmoreland-Richmond County, Virginia and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He built prayer benches for a church destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and volunteered with Water Mission International, building and testing filtration systems.

Bob will be remembered for his wide open heart, huge laugh and helping hands. He was easily found in any room by following the sound of laughter. He was a pillar of support for the family, facing challenges with strength, confidence, positive attitude and unwavering belief. He died peacefully after a short illness surrounded by love, after catching a boatload of fish less than a week earlier.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Cornelia "Connie" Drew of Mt. Pleasant, SC; daughters, Judy Drew Fairchild (Reggie) of Dewees Island, SC, Stephanie Drew Cantle of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Christie Drew of Durham, NC; grandchildren, Emily, Kate and Ted Fairchild of Dewees Island, SC; sister Jessie Drew-Cates (Billy) of Spencerport, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to East-Cooper Habitat for Humanity (http://eastcooperhabitat.org) or Water Mission (https://www.watermission.org).