Robert Richard Taylor M.D.

Robert Richard Taylor, Jr., M.D., 80, of Columbia, died Friday, March 27, 2015, at his home following an extended illness. Son of the late Robert Richard Taylor and Reba Carroll Taylor, Robert was born August 28, 1934 in Columbia. Educated in Columbia schools, he graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1956 with a Bachelor’s of Science and went on to obtain his M.D. from MUSC in 1960. After a rotating internship at the old Columbia Hospital, Dr. Taylor served residencies in internal medicine and neurology at Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC. He returned to Columbia to practice neurology in 1967. Dr. Taylor served in the US Air Force Reserves from 1967-1972. Dr. Taylor earned a reputation as a caring, dedicated physician before retiring in 2000. During his 33 years as a medical doctor, he served as Chief of Staff at Richland Memorial Hospital (now Palmetto Health Richland), medical director of the EEG Lab and Peripheral Vascular Lab, and as member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Neurological Association, American Heart Association, and American Heart Association Stroke Council, Medical Journal Club, and Columbia Medical Society, past president of the SC Neurological Association, former director of the Acute Stroke Unit at Columbia Hospital, and was a former director of the SC Heart Association’s Stroke Task Force. Dr. Taylor was also a member of Forest Lake Club and the Camellia Ball. He loved the out-of-doors and was an avid hunter and fisherman, establishing the Goff Swamp Hunting and Fishing Club in 1986. As a young boy, Dr. Taylor hunted this land every weekend with his father. He was a giver of hospitality and loved entertaining friends and church members with his fish and game dinners. He was also a timber farmer and member of the SC Forestry Association, where he served on a variety of committees and boards. Dr. Taylor joined the Presbyterian Church in 1960. He was ordained a deacon in 1971 and an elder in 1978. A 17 year member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Dr. Taylor was a member of The First Presbyterian Church for 38 years. He loved his church and loved to greet at the morning services. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Beverly Kennedy Taylor; son, Robert Richard Taylor, III (Kathy); daughter, June Taylor Laughridge (Philip); daughter-in-law, Cindy Truluck Taylor; grandchildren, Addie Taylor, Emily Laughridge, Ann Taylor, Zachary Laughridge; and his sister, Patsy Taylor Black. A memorial service for Dr. Taylor will be held 3 o’clock, Monday, March 30th, at The First Presbyterian Church, with The Rev. L. Craig Wilkes and Dr. Mark E. Ross officiating. Elders of First Presbyterian Church are invited to serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 3 until 5 o’clock, Sunday afternoon at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Rd Ext, Columbia. A private burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park will precede the service. Memorials may be made to The First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion St, Columbia, SC 29201; or to the SC Forestry Foundation, PO Box 21303, Columbia, SC 29221. The family wishes to thank Agape Hospice, especially Elizabeth Lauder, Keisher Holloway and Melissa Baxter; as well as Ja’nine Pontoon, Ishamel Garnika and our many friends for the loving care during Dr. Taylor’s illness. Only one life so soon it will pass. Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Tributes

Robert Richard Taylor M.D.

August 28, 1934 - March 27, 2015