Robert B. McNair

AIKEN – Mr. Robert Blair McNair, 55, beloved son of Ellyn Blair McNair, died at his home after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his father, James M. McNair, Sr. A private graveside service will be held in historic Bethany Cemetery. Robert was born in Charlotte, NC and moved soon after to Aiken, at the time his father purchased The Aiken Golf Club from the City of Aiken. He showed an early interest in history, and became a young expert on the Civil War. He assisted Mr. and Mrs. A.W. and Nancy Courtney, then proprietors, in running the then Aiken County Museum, housed in a portion of the county jail. At the age of 11 he set up Civil War gallery, the Robertsonian Museum, on the porch of his home, displaying many war artifacts and relics. With his collection of miniature solders, he depicted various battles of the war. A photo of Robert and an article about the museum are in the archives of the 1970 Aiken Standard. Robert graduated from Aiken High School and attended Augusta College, where he studied violin under Dr. Eloy Fominaya, then director of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. Robert performed in the Augusta Youth Symphony Orchestra. He went on to Western Michigan University, obtaining a BA degree in Music and Asian Studies. He later graduated with a Masters degree in International Business for The Thunderbird School of Global Management, in Glendale, Arizona. He made several trips to China, where he studied and learned to speak the language fluently. During the 1980’s, while living in Aiken, Robert published SC Civil War history books and designed a military strategy game: The Civil War in SC. Music was a special love of Robert’s and he transcribed works for different size orchestral groups; he especially enjoyed challenging his skills on the piano. He was the devoted owner of a fine dog, “Big”, who was equally devoted to Robert. He is survived by his sister, Cheryl K. McNair, Las Vegas, NV; two brothers, James M. (Vicki) McNair, Jr., Aiken, and Scott (Gaye) McNair, Yemassee, SC; his three nieces;Victoria Blair McNair, Greenville, SC Katherine McNair (Matt) Hendrickson, Destin, Fl, Frances Ellyn McNair, Yemassee, SC; and two nephews; James McNair, III, Nashville, TN and Preston McNair, Yemasse, SC. Robert would have wanted memorials in his memory directed to the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, 199 Willow Run Rd, Aiken, SC 29801. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Robert’s online guest registry may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert B. McNair, please visit our flower store.