Obituary of Robert Altamont Moses

Robert Altamont Moses, 101, died Saturday, November 26, 2022 at his home. Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late Henry Phillips Moses and Charlotte Virginia Emmanuel Moses. Surviving are his wife Clara Gayness Moses; his four daughters, Natalie Moses (Douglas Klaucke) and children, Benjamin, Julien and Robert Pougnier; Carol Moses (David Vasconcelos) and children, Alice Moses, Aldo Pena-Moses; Katherine Moses Royer (Brad) and children, Brendan and Aaron; and Laura Moses; nine great-grandchildren, He is also survived by a brother, Herbert A. Moses; numerous nieces and nephews from the Mahon and Moses families and by his wife’s family, Frances Gowen (Brent), Sarah Sanford (Bryan) and their children. He was predeceased by his first wife, Harriett Pace Moses; a daughter, Elizabeth Moses; a sister, Octavia Moses Mahon and two brothers, Richard Phillips Moses and Vivian Moses. Moses was a member of the class of 1942 at The Citadel. Upon graduation he joined the US Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. He subsequently served as an Army Air Corps Single Engine Pilot, completed his 20 years of military service as a reservist, and retired from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of Major. Mr. Moses was a member of Temple Sinai and was a former Realtor and Real Estate Appraiser with Henry P. Moses Company. Moses was a past president or chair of the SC Association of Realtors, the Sumter Rotary Club, the Fortnightly Club, the Sumter County Historical Society, and Sumter County Master Gardeners, among others, and a scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America. In addition to community service, he had many interests, including birdwatching, baking, fishing, gardening, hiking, and travelling at home and abroad with friends and family. He spoke fondly of his childhood trips to Saluda, NC, and helped build his family’s beach house at Pawleys Island in 1939. He was a man of honesty, integrity, curiosity, humor, and kindness. He loved his family and the natural world. He taught by example and was a friend and mentor to many. The family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by Vermell Shannon and Stella Haynesworth of Carolina Caregivers. It is with deep appreciation that the family acknowledges the support of hospice staff at Amedesis. Memorial Services will be held at 2 PM Tuesday at Temple Sinai with Ray Reich officiating. The family will receive friends following the memorial service at a reception at McKenzie Hall on the grounds of the Sumter Museum. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Temple Sinai General Fund, 13 Church Street, Sumter, SC 29150; to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104; to the Sumter County Museum, P. O. Box 1456, Sumter, SC 29151; or to the charity of one’s choice. Private burial will be in the Sumter Jewish Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.