Remembering Robert Anthony Daniel, '49, former member of the BOV and CAA president

Remembering Robert Anthony Daniel, ’49, former member of the BOV and CAA president

January 30, 2023January 30, 2023 Alumni Featured

Robert Anthony Daniel Class of 1949 yearbook photo

The Citadel is mourning the loss of one of its biggest advocates, an outstanding alumnus known for his leadership and unwavering support to Citadel athletics.

Robert Anthony Daniel passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

Daniel distinguished himself in military service, business leadership and service to others, exemplifying the ideals The Citadel cherishes. A resident of Charleston, Daniel served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II, earning the American Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Daniel enrolled at The Citadel as a veteran student in 1946. During his college career, he was a charter member of The Citadel American Legion Post, a member of the golf team and a cheerleader for three years, marking the beginning of decades of enthusiastic support for the college. In 1949, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Daniel is a past president of The Citadel Alumni Association, the Charleston Citadel Club and The Brigadier Century Club, a forerunner of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation. He served for two terms on The Citadel Board of Visitors and, in 1977, provided significant leadership in the development of The Citadel’s Athletic Hall of Fame. In recognition of his interest and support of Citadel athletics, fellow alumni inducted Daniel as an honorary Hall of Fame member in 1994.

He joined the Charleston Coca-Cola Bottling Company in 1951 as an office manager and rose to the position of president and member of the Board of Directors in 1970.

An active member of the Lowcountry community, Daniel has held leadership positions in the Sertoma Club of Charleston, the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, the St. Andrews Parish Charleston Merger Commission, the Trident Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Clean City Commission.

Obituary from The Post and Courier

Robert Anthony Daniel, 97, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Lucia Hannaford Daniel, entered into eternal rest Thursday, January 26, 2023. His Funeral Service will be held Monday, January 30, 2023 in The Church of the Holy Communion, 218 Ashley Avenue at 2:00 p.m. Interment, Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday in the J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Bob was born August 25, 1925 in Greenville, South Carolina, son of the late Kathryn C. and Hugh R. Daniel. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1942 and joined the United States Navy, where he served in the American and Asiatic-Pacific Theatres. After the Navy, Bob enrolled in The Citadel as a veteran student. He was head cheerleader his junior and senior years, a Charter Member of the Citadel American Legion Post, and played on the golf team. Bob graduated from The Citadel with a BS in Commerce and Marketing in December 1949. He and Lucia were married in The Citadel Chapel on February 18, 1950. Bob’s career began with Naco Fertilizer Company in Charleston. He joined the Charleston Coca-Cola Bottling Co. in 1951 and became General Manager in 1966. During his career with Coca-Cola, Bob was Treasurer and Board of Directors, Vendors Unlimited, Vice-President, Board of Directors and Manager, Fountain Products of Charleston. In 1970, he became President and Member of the Board of Directors, Charleston Coca-Cola Bottling Co.; Secretary-Board of Directors, Food Service, Inc. Columbia, SC; Vice-President Board of Directors Fountain Products of Charleston; and Chairman, SC Bottlers of Coca-Cola. Bob was also Vice-President, Board of Directors, South Atlantic Canners Executive Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors of American Mutual Life Insurance Company, Chairman of the Board at St. Francis Hospital for three years, the Southeastern Container and Sunbelt Coca-Cola Bottling Co., and the College Preparatory School. Bob was a Past President of The Country Club of Charleston, as well as the New England Society. He was a member of the Church of the Holy Communion, the Hibernian Society, the Arion Society, and the St. Andrew’s Society. Bob’s passions were his family, The Citadel, and golf.

He served The Citadel in many ways and was elected to The Board of Visitors as an Alumni member for eight years. He served on the Charleston Citadel Club, the Brigadier-Century Club that he and George Orvin founded, the Association of Citadel Men, and the Citadel Educational Foundation. He was inducted into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame (Honorary) in 1993 and in 2003, Bob was awarded an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Business from The Citadel. He loved golf and his many golf buddies at the Country Club. Bob and Lucia traveled the country and parts of the world following their World Hall of Fame golfer, Beth Daniel.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lucia; son, Robert A. Daniel, Jr. (Gwen) of Charleston, SC; two daughters: Patricia Daniel Nimocks (Gary) of Charleston, SC and Beth Daniel (Meg) of Delray Beach, FL; four grandchildren: Robert A. Daniel III, Jordan E. Daniel, John R. Larisey and Daniel P. Larisey; and five great-grandchildren: Harper, Kaelin, Miles, Eliza, and Luke. Memorials may be made to The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, 69 Hagood Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403, or to the Church of the Holy Communion, 218 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.