Robert Chester Tourtellot

His beloved wife, Janet Phyllis Graven Tourtellot passed away March 15, 2021.

He was born May 11, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, the first born of Irving W. Tourtellot and Louise Bentz Tourtellot. Because of his father’s employment, they also lived in New England and Canada. He attended Anderson Street Elementary and Greenville (SC) Junior High, before moving with his parents and his brother Bill to Charlotte in 1954 where he entered Myers Park High School. While there he was a member of the Spanish Club, Senior High Chorus, Boys’ Glee Club and Civil Air Patrol. He and Janet became lifetime Mustangs, Class of 1957 and enjoyed being planners and participants in many reunions thereafter.

After graduation from Myers Park, he earned an Associate Degree at Charlotte College (now UNC Charlotte or “Charlotte”) and then studied at NC State in the civil engineering Department.

Although he and Janet attended Myers Park at the same time, they did not meet until they were on separate trips with friends to Myrtle Beach. It was reported that Bob said after their meeting that he was going to marry her! And so, they married June 4, 1961 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and began a lifelong adventure together. They were active members of St. Mark’s for many years and enjoyed the fellowship and friendships with their Sunday School class and parishioners, and treasured worshipping with them.

Bob was always interested in genealogy as his parents descended from interesting families. He became very serious and involved in tracing his ancestry and had mountains of research he enjoyed. With Janet’s long-time interest in antiques and their stories and history, they combined the two for some great adventures including trips to Europe, around the US, and to many cemeteries, libraries, government record offices and antique shops.

They enjoyed years as sellers (and therefore buyers from somewhere!) at The Sleepy Poet Antique Mall. In 1997 they incorporated The Upside Down Turtle which included their industrial wipers (rags) business and their Sleepy Poet business. They always claimed they had the best suppliers and the best customers of any business!

When Janet’s health began a slow decline, they left their wonderful home of many years and memories on Hillside Avenue and moved to Aldersgate. They both said many times it was the best thing they did.

Bob is survived by his brother Bill and his wife ChiChi (Sandra), their children Billy and his wife Jeanne, Rich and his wife Pam, Beth Tourtellot and their children, his sister-in-law Carol Graven Layton and his brother-in-law David H. Layton, Jr and a multitude of Tourtellot cousins and their families.

There will be a memorial celebration of both Janet and Bob at Aldersgate Retirement Community in the Fellowship Hall, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215 on Saturday June 10, 2023 at 2 pm. The family will receive after.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Aldersgate at Home in honor of the CNAs who cared for Janet and Bob in their last months. Please send to 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215 and designate “to CNAs, unrestricted.” Funds are used for Continuing Education and rewards for the CNAs. Or to Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte NC 28206, an organization which they both supported.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/charlotte-nc-cremation for the Tourtellot family.