Howard Tawney Gilchrist

Dr. Howard Tawney Gilchrist, Sr., 91, of Abbeville, died at Hospice Care of the Piedmont in Greenwood on August 3, 2012. Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Howard Thompson Gilchrist and Myra Corrinne Tawney Gilchrist. He is survived by his wife Martha Elizabeth West Gilchrist of Abbeville and their six children Caroline McGee (Glenburn) of Abbeville, Shirley Knight (Jim) of Columbia, Howard Tawney Gilchrist, Jr. (Emily) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Mary Burns Owens (Hugh) of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Dr. William J. Gilchrist (Shelley) of Hodges, and Tawney Gavin (Brian) of Aiken. He had 15 grandchildren Chellie McGee Amagliani (Michael), Amanda G. Clemson (Robert), Natalie C. Robichaux (Richard), David Knight, Peter Knight (Lori), Corrie G. Manis (Zach), Charlotte Gilchrist, Robert Gilchrist, Emma Salley Owens, Heather G. Holder (Ramey), Elizabeth L. Gavin, Brian H. Gavin, Jr., Sarah Burns Gilchrist, Martha Hall Gilchrist and Samuel Tawney Gilchrist (Ashley). His seven great-grandchildren are Cullen J. Amagliani, Jackson Clemson, Charlie Clemson, Ramey Elizabeth Holder, Harley Rose Holder, Augustus (Gus) Robichaux and Vivie Robichaux. He had numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters Mary Gilchrist (who died at birth in 1919) and Dorothy (Dolly) Gilchrist Sherer, and a half-brother John Elmer Gilchrist. After graduation from McKeesport High School, he attended Duke University until the outbreak of World War II his junior year when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He became a B-29 pilot serving with the 505th BomberGroup, flying to Tinian Island where he and his crew flew six regular 3,000-mile missions before the war ended. He then immediately began flying rescue and support missions over Japan, dropping food and medical supplies for the prisoners of war. Following World War II, he and his beloved wife 'Mitt'A? and first daughter Caroline moved to McKeesport where he worked with his brother and father in their Gilchrist Moving and Storage business. He later returned to college and completed his undergraduate degree and a Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. He also was trained and worked as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital while attending dental school. During this time children two - five were born! After graduation, he took a position as municipal dentist with the City of Danville, Virginia, and then in 1956 purchased a practice in Williston where he and Martha raised and educated their then six children. Upon retirement, he and Martha moved back to Abbeville into the house where they had met. He was lovingly known to family and friends as Budd, Doc, Uncle Budd, Poppy or Pop Pop. A devout Christian, he was of the Baptist faith and a member of Abbeville First Baptist Church. Always active in church, family, educational, civic and professional endeavors, he was a devoted husband and father. He taught Sunday school, was a lifelong pilot, hunter, fisherman, musician, singer, dancer, writer and poet. He was an avid reader, artist, craftsman, builder and gardener. He was a great lover of birds and wildlife, but there wasn't a subject that did not interest him. With the age of technology, he became a daily surfer of the internet and emailed friends and family all over the world. He was also known for his personal poems to family and friends on birthdays and special occasions. Many of them also boast possession of some of 'Doc's Crude Crafts'A?, ranging from furniture and bluebird houses and 'Corner Cats and Dogs'A? to Banana Hangers, 'Elko Fish Scalers'A? and a unique 'Pony-Legged Table'A? made for his oldest granddaughter. His artistic endeavors also resulted in his taking a painting class at University of SC - Aiken, after which he produced paintings for all his children and a number of friends and family. Doc held offices in his classes at Duke, was a member of ATO fraternity and in recent years was named Duke's ATO alum of the year. He held professional regional offices in the S.C. Dental Association and was a pioneer in SCETV's continuing education for dentistry in the 1950s and 60's, serving as moderator of an ETV dental-education program. A lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts, he worked with troops in Williston and during South Carolina's Tri-Centennial served as Wagon Master of a 100-mile wagon train of scouts that made its way from the Low Country to the steps of the state capitol in Columbia. In 1971, he was awarded one of Scouting's highest service awards - The Silver Beaver - by the Central South Carolina Council of Boy Scouts. He served political offices on Williston's School Board and was chairman of the Barnwell County Council. He was honored by the Town of Williston to serve as Grand Marshall of the Wonderful Williston Town Festival. He maintained a commercial pilot's license his entire life and was an active member of the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association since 1944. He achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps from 1944-46 and served in the Air Force Reserve until 1957, with an honorable discharge. He was a member of the Abbeville American Legion Post 2, Hope Masonic Lodge #126 and was a former member of The Elks, The Williston Cotillion Club and many other professional and service organizations. Doc authored numerous writings of professional, historic and personal interest over the years. He was published in several historical books about World War II, South Carolina Wildlife Magazine, and until his passing, wrote a column in the Abbeville Press and Banner called 'Doc's Talks and Tales'A?. He recently was interviewed and filmed for the Library of Congress' project to interview and video World War II veterans. A celebration of Doc's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Abbeville First Baptist Church on North Main with a visitation/reception to follow in the Christian Life Center. Private interment will be at historic Long Cane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Doc requested that memorials be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont 408 W. Alexander St., Greenwood, SC 29646; Abbeville First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 825, Abbeville, SC 29620; or Long Cane Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 549, Abbeville, SC 29620; or to a charity of one's choice. A message condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES is assisting the Gilchrist family.