ROBERT C. PENISTON
Death Notice

PENISTON Captain ROBERT C. PENISTON U.S. Navy (Ret.) Robert C. Peniston died on August 2, 2014 in Lexington, VA at age 91. Born in Chillicothe, Missouri on October 25, 1922, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy from Wichita, Kansas in June 1943 and graduated June 1946 as a member of the Class of 1947. On December 21, 1946, he married Frances Elizabeth McKelvy, and over the course of a 53 year marriage raised two children, loved three grandchildren and lived in 12 different locations. His first assignment on graduation was aboard USSNEW JERSEY (BB-62). During his naval career he served aboard nine ships, NEW JERSEY twice, and seven shore stations. He was privileged to serve as Navigator of the Presidential Yacht WILLIAMSBURG during the presidency of Harry S. Truman. He served as Commanding Officer of four ships: USS SAVAGE (DDG-19), the Battleship NEW JERSEY, and the guided missile cruiser USS ALBANY (CG-10). Shore station assignments included two tours in the Bureau of Naval Personnel; the Naval War College, first as a student in the Command and Staff Course and then as aide to the President of the College; staffs of the Atlantic Command and Atlantic Fleet as Assistant Chief of Staff of Operations; and the Naval Education and Training Command. He earned a Master's degree from Stanford University in 1958. In his first tour of duty in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, he served as aide to Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz in 1957. In June 1976 he retired from the Navy and joined the staff of Washington and Lee University as Director of Lee Chapel and was made an honorary alumnus of Washington and Lee, the fourth person to be so honored. After retiring in June 1998, he worked in Special Collections in the University's Leyburn Library and transcribed over 3,000 handwritten letters of Robert E. Lee for the University's archives. He also guest lectured to classes on the subjects of military and American history, and was a tutor and mentor for students in the community. Throughout his life he was such a positive influence for so many as he lived his life with all the virtues of a true gentleman, officer, and a citizen. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, oldest brother to five siblings, and a good friend to many. He had two children, Robert Carl and Lisa Lynn. He was predeceased by his son in April 1975, a senior at Washington and Lee University, and his wife Frances in 2000. Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Lisa Sieg, and her husband, Mr. Patrick K. Sieg, of Rockville, MD, three grandchildren, Robert, Erica and Stephan, and his siblings (Dr. Francis Peniston, Mr. John Peniston, Mrs. Shirley Read and Mrs. Lila Hole of Missouri and Mr. Dan Peniston of Kansas). A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 11 a.m., Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, Lexington, VA. For those wishing to make a gift in his memory, contributions may be sent to: Washington and Lee University Special Collections/ Development Office, 204 West Washington St., Lexington, VA 24450. Arrangements by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA. He had two children, Robert Carl and Lisa Lynn. He was predeceased by his son in April 1975, a senior at Washington and Lee University, and his wife Frances in 2000. Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Lisa Sieg, and her husband, Mr. Patrick K. Sieg, of Rockville, MD, three grandchildren, Robert, Erica and Stephan, and his siblings (Dr. Francis Peniston, Mr. John Peniston, Mrs. Shirley Read and Mrs. Lila Hole of Missouri and Mr. Dan Peniston of Kansas). A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 11 a.m., Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, Lexington, VA. For those wishing to make a gift in his memory, contributions may be sent to: Washington and Lee University Special Collections/ Development Office, 204 West Washington St., Lexington, VA 24450. Arrangements by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.


Virginia Division UDC mourns the loss of Captain Robert C. Peniston, USN (Ret) and Honorary Associate Member, Virginia Division United Daughters of the Confederacy.


Captain Robert Peniston retired from the Navy in 1976 and joined the staff of Washington and Lee as Director of Lee Chapel. He worked with Virginia Division on many projects during his time at Washington and Lee. He was very helpful and special to the Division. In October, 1998 a motion was made at the Division Convention by Mrs. Suzanne Silek that Captain Robert C. Peniston, USN (Ret) and recently retired Director of Lee Chapel be honored as Honorary Associate Member of Virginia Division. The motion carried and Division President, Nancy Gum, presented the Honorary Membership to Captain Peniston on October 10, 1998. (Picture in 1998 Minutes). The 1999 Minutes were dedicated to Captain Robert C. Peniston.

Published in The Washington Post on Aug. 8, 2014