Robert A. Moses, 101, helped build family’s island home
December 1, 2022
Robert Altamont Moses of Sumter, a long-time Pawleys Island property owner, died Nov. 26 at his home. He was 101.
He was born in Sumter, a son of Henry Phillips Moses and Charlotte Virginia Emmanuel Moses. He was a member of the Class of 1942 at The Citadel. Upon graduation, he joined the Army as a second lieutenant in the infantry. He subsequently served in the Army Air Corps as a pilot, and completed 20 years of military service as a reservist. He then retired from the Air Force Reserves as a major.
Mr. Moses was a member of Temple Sinai and was a former Realtor and real estate appraiser with Henry P. Moses Company. He was a past president or chair of the S.C. Association of Realtors, the Sumter Rotary Club, the Fortnightly Club, the Sumter County Historical Society and Sumter County Master Gardeners, among others. He was also a scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America.
In addition to community service, he had many interests, including birdwatching, baking, fishing, gardening, hiking and traveling with friends and family. He spoke fondly of his childhood trips to Saluda, N.C., and helping build his family’s beach house at Pawleys Island in 1939.
Mr. Moses was remembered as a man of honesty, integrity, curiosity, humor and kindness who loved his family and the natural world. He taught by example and was a friend and mentor to many.
He is survived by his wife, Clara Gayness Moses; his daughters, Natalie Moses (Douglas Klaucke) and children, Benjamin, Julien and Robert Pougnier; Carol Moses (David Vasconcelos) and children, Alice Moses, Aldo Pena-Moses; Katherine Moses Royer (Brad) and children, Brendan and Aaron; and Laura Moses; nine great-grandchildren; his brother, Herbert A. Moses; numerous nieces and nephews; and his wife’s family, Frances Gowen (Brent), Sarah Sanford (Bryan) and their children.
His first wife, Harriett Pace Moses, died before him as did his daughter, Elizabeth Moses; a sister, Octavia Moses Mahon and two brothers, Richard Phillips Moses and Vivian Moses.
Memorial services were held Tuesday at Temple Sinai. Private burial will be in the Sumter Jewish Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Temple Sinai General Fund, 13 Church St., Sumter, SC 29150; the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104; the Sumter County Museum, P. O. Box 1456, Sumter, SC 29151; or the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent at sumterfunerals.com.
