Robert "Bob" Cuttino

Robert Edward "Bob" Cuttino passed away Thursday, June 23, at the age of 86. Born in Sumter, SC, on August 27, 1929, he was the son of James and Lucie Olivia Cuttino. After graduating from Edmunds High School, Bob earned degrees from Wofford College and Yale University as well as an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Furman University. His pastorates in South Carolina-in Williston, Fairfax, Lake City, Lancaster and Beaufort-spanned some 65 years. During that time he served the Southern Baptist denomination with distinction in various capacities, which included serving as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and serving on various boards such as the Sunday School Board, the Peace Committee, and the Board of Trustees of Charleston Southern University. Missions-both foreign and domestic-were a particular passion of Bob's and churches where he served have been nationally recognized for the number of new churches they started. Bob taught religion for over two decades in the University of South Carolina system and organized educational tours abroad. His travels took him to 33 countries. A Rotarian, Bob was recognized by Rotary International as a Paul Harris Fellow for promoting international understanding.  He wrote a weekly religious column for the Bluffton Today.   Bob authored a history of South Carolina Baptists to celebrate the state convention's 175th anniversary and was president of the South Carolina Baptist Historical Society. He also co-founded Operation Good Neighbor which brought racially diverse churches together to meet community needs. In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Molly Jane Leatherwood Cuttino. Molly and Bob met while students at Converse College and Wofford College, respectively. Molly's piano performance training complemented Bob's ministry and worship leadership.  Bob shared Molly's enthusiasm for music singing tenor in the Glee Club at Wofford and the Chapel Choir at Yale. Bob is also preceded in death by two brothers, James Cuttino, Jr, and Tillman Edwards "Tilly" Cuttino and by two sisters, Portia Cuttino Myers and Lucie Ann Cuttino Eldridge. Bob is survived by a son, Robert Edward Cuttino, Jr. of Gainesville, Georgia, and a daughter, Olivia Cuttino "Libby" Tilson and her husband, E. Vincent "Vint" Tilson of Matthews, NC.  Bob is also survived by a granddaughter, Olivia Hayes Tilson Boylston and her husband, Zachary Michael Boylston of Chapel Hill, NC, and a grandson, Edward Vincent "Evin" Tilson of Charlotte, NC. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Bob Cuttino will be held at the Baptist Church of Beaufort Saturday, June 25 at 2:00pm with a reception in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Baptist Church of Beaufort - 600 Charles Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902.