Robert M. ‘Beaver’ Balding, 88, former LCC golf director
December 21, 2023
Robert Mathews “Beaver” Balding, 88, of Litchfield passed away on Dec. 15, 2023.
Beaver was born Dec. 28, 1934 in New York. He was the son of Dorothy Davis and Barney Balding. He grew up in Old Brookville, Long Island, on a family estate where his grandfather, Joe Davis, had racing stables and then his father, Barney, managed them later as boarding and riding stables. His father Barney and two of his brothers were very well-renowned polo players in England and in the United States.
Beaver’s family began wintering Aiken in 1940 when he was a young boy and he attended Aiken Prep School, where he excelled in many sports. During his school years in Aiken, and later, at boarding school at St. Marks, in Southboro, Mass., Beaver participated in horseback riding, golf, baseball, basketball, track, archery, tennis and bicycle polo. He became most talented at golf though and was a Junior Champion in Long Island at the Creek Club and won a Pro-Am at age 16. He won many tournaments, several times taking the Mother-Son titles with his mother, Dot, who was also an excellent player. Beaver was a scratch golfer and had 6 holes in one. He spent much of his lifetime playing with friends and family.
Beaver served in the Army after attending the University of Houston. He was with American Express Company, managed the Georgetown Airport and was the Director of Golf at Litchfield Country Club.
In 1962, Beaver moved to the coast of South Carolina where he would spend the rest of his life. For many years, he volunteered with Pawley’s Island-Litchfield Rescue, where he drove the ambulance, winning the driver of the year award from 1998-2003. He was also the Assistant Chief in 2004. He served on the Georgetown Hospital Foundation board for several years and was the longest living member of the Litchfield Country Club. He was instrumental in running the Litchfield Labor Day Classic which was a great amateur tournament for many years.
Beaver always had a twinkle in his eye and such a great sense of humor. He loved learning new things and helping people in any way he could. He loved his family and loved spending time with Sharon, his longtime girlfriend.
Beaver is survived by his daughter, Dawn Balding Pate (Fen); his son, Robert Mathews “Matt” Balding Jr. (Eve); a stepson Phillip Vanderbilt Brady; grandchildren Allston Pate Shore (Royall), Emerson Fennell Pate, Margaret Pringle Balding, Sara Mathews Balding and one great-grandson, Robert Royall Shore. He was predeceased by a brother, Bruce Balding, and a stepson, Kenneth Parsons Brady. He is also survived by the love of his life, Sharon McCullough, with whom he shared many wonderful experiences and memories over the past 20 years.
Mayer-Etheridge Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made to St. Francis Animal Center or Midway Fire and Rescue.
