Charles Robert "Bob" Blankenship passed to eternal peace and rest May 4, 2024 in Greenville SC, at the age of 82.

He was born in Birmingham, Alabama March 2, 1942 to the late Charles Hilton and Gertrude Davis Blankenship.  At the age of three Bob was diagnosed with diabetes and started insulin March 4, 1945 during World War II.  His family did not have a refrigerator (none were available   during war years) but the kept the insulin chilled in an ice box, buying blocks of ice from the ice house two blocks away.  He survived more than 79 years on insulin.

Bob was a devoted husband and father and an avid University of Alabama fan. Roll Tide! He was a Boy Scout and attained the rank of Eagle. Through scouting he learned Morse Code and became a ham radio operator making contacts all over the world. He enjoyed many types of music, collected LP's and built a large sound system during the stereo years. He loved spending time with his family and friends, traveling and playing tennis. He enjoyed antique automobiles and liked to drive around in "Miss Elsie," a 1954 Buick Rocket 88 in original condition. For many years he was a member and a past president of the Greenville, SC Antique Automobile Club of America. He was also a huge fan of southern slow smoked BBQ and would travel many miles to try a restaurant.

Bob retired early from Flour Engineering, Greenville, SC  due to health problems.

Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon Castle Blankenship of Greer, SC; daughter, Cynthia Blankenship Poupard (Randy) of Kernersville, NC; sister, Lynne Blankenship Crocker (Bobby) of McCalla, AL; his brother-in-law, David Castle (Delores) of Greenwood, SC.  Also surviving are his niece and two nephews: Nancy Gaspari of Davidson, NC, Scott Crocker (Nicole) and their daughter Mary Alice of Hoover, AL, and Michael Castle and his children Braydon and Kinsey of Moncks Corner, SC.  In addition there are surviving cousins and their families In Alabama and Oregon.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM Friday, May 10, 2024 in the mausoleum chapel at Graceland East Memorial Park, 2206 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville, SC 29681 in the chapel of the mausoleum. A Viewing will take place half an hour prior, beginning 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bob's name be made to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org .