Robert Bowyer Preston, longtime resident of Botetourt Co., died Saturday morning, March 15, 1997 at the age of 94.

He is best remembered for his costumed portrayal of his paternal ancestor Revolutionary War hero, Colonel William Preston in the 1974 Bicentennial Reenactment of the drafting of the Fincastle Resolutions, which anticipated the Declaration of Independence.

He was the last surviving member of his family to be born at Greenfield, the ancestral home of the Prestons built in 1763 and destroyed by fire in 1959. He was born April 6, 1902.

He was an Army Veteran of World War II, Mr. Preston had prior to the war worked for the American Box and Lumber Company of Macon, Ga., owned by his maternal uncle, William Murrell Brockenbrough of Lynchburg, Va. Later he was associated with the Evans Products Company of Detroit, Mich., whose President was Edward Evans another maternal relative.

His mother, Alice Brockenbrough Preston was the granddaughter of Judge John White Brockenbrough founder of the Law School at Washington & Lee University.

After the war, he served for several years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an inspector. He met and married Jay Gundry, a widow with two children of Waco, Texas. Together they owned and operated the Mexican Craft Shop near Hollins College for the next 20 years. In retirement he and his wife lived on a farm in Botetourt Co. where they were known for their vegetable and flower gardens.

At the time of his death, his wife and two stepchildren had predeceased him. He is survived by four grandsons which include Devin Moeller of Botetourt Co. and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, 1997 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Fincastle with the Rev. Gene Anderson officiating. Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Troutville Rescue Squad. Rader Daleville Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Roanoke Times, March 17, 1997