Robert W. TUNNELL


Robert White Tunnell Of Georgetown, DE, age 85, died Tuesday January 4, 2000 at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, DE.

He was born July 21, 1914 in Frankford, DE, his ancestors were living in Sussex County before the American Revolution. His father, James Miller Tunnell, was an attorney and a United States Senator from 1941-1946. His mother, Sarah Ethel Dukes, was born and raised in Millville. He graduated from the Mercersburg Academy in 1932, earned a BA in Muskingum College and graduated from the Duke University Law School in 1941. He served in the Army Judge Advocates office until 1946 and began his law practice in Georgetown, DE in 1946 with Tunnell and Tunnell. His law career was unparalleled in its day. Marked by expertise and adeptness in all areas of law, he was equally at ease handling complex litigation and transactional work as he was in doing simple wills and deeds for individual clients. He labored professionally in virtually all areas of the law for a variety of clients and formed the partnership of Tunnell and Raysor in 1959.

Both before and after his retirement from the practice of law in 1981, he was active in all phases of Sussex County life from politics to banking. Over the years he contributed his time, his talent and his expertise for the State's welfare upon request by Governors Tribbitt, Terry, Carvel and others. He has belonged to the Delaware State Forestry Commission (1952-1956); and has served as Director, Delaware Legislative Reference Bureau (1948); chairman, Governor's Revenue Study Committee (1969, 1976); and member of the State Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board.

His other community, county and state roles include Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (1965); member of the Delmarva Advisory Council of the Boy Scouts of America; and officer and director, Delaware Wild Lands, Inc. In 1979, the American Tree System recognized him as "Tree Farmer of the Year." Concern for interests of others is evident from years of service as a director of Beebe Medical Center and from 1983 to 1988 as Chairman of its Board of Directors. He has also aided individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses through memberships on various bank boards and was Chairman of the Executive Committee and of the Board of the Sussex Trust Company. Probably the most memorable mark he will leave on both the people and the face of Sussex County is that of Pot-Nets Communities in Long Neck, DE. Founded in 1962, it has grown to become the largest waterfront manufactured housing community in the United States.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Eolyne Kelly Tunnell; a son, Robert White Tunnell, Jr. of Long Neck, DE; 2 daughters, Ethel Paulyne Tunnell of Watertown, MA and Bonney Tunnell Eggleston of Milford, DE; and 5 grandchildren, Ashley Hart Bastholm, Chesley Elizabeth Bastholm, Robert White Tunnell, III, Sarah Dukes Tunnell and Laine Elizabeth Tunnell.

A funeral service will be held at the Georgetown Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 8th at 11 a.m. where friends may call from 9-10:30 a.m. with burial following at the Old Blackwater Church Cemetery, near Frankford, DE. Family requests no flowers, instead donations may be made to the Tunnell Cancer Center, Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, DE 19958.

MELSON FUNERAL SERVICES

[published 01/06/2000]