Robert E. Chaffer

Funeral services for Robert E. Chaffer, age 85, of Athens, Alabama, will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, September 3, 2011, at Saint Timothys Episcopal Church in Athens with the Rev. E. David Basinger, Jr. officiating.. Visitation will be from 2 to 2:45 p.m. in the church social hall. His grandchildren will serve as pall bearers. Mr. Chaffer was born in Rochester, New York, the son of Florence and Elmer Chaffer. He served in the U.S. Army Engineers from 1944-46. He is a 1951 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New Haven, Connecticut and for 24 years, he was a Unit Manager and later District Manager for Slater Food Service which became Aramark, Inc., living in Hamilton, Ohio, Baltimore, Maryland and Richmond, Virginia. In 1989 Bob received the Alabama Hospitality award from the Alabama Hotel & Motel Association. A Certified Hotel Administrator, he and his wife Martha owned and managed the Welcome Inn Motel and Restaurant in Athens, Alabama for 20 years until their retirement. For more than 60 years he was a member of the Masons, and was a member of the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. He was a member and past president of the Alabama Motel Association and a board member of the Athens/Limestone County Chamber of Commerce and the American Hotel Association. He was a member and past Senior Warden of St. Timothys Episcopal Church where he is active in the Mens Club. He is predeceased by his brother Elmer Roy Chaffer and a grandson, John Hoffman. Mr. Chaffer is survived by his wife of 44 years, Martha Chaffer; three children, Brenda (Rabon) Hollingsworth of Sandersville, Georgia; Peggy (John) Hoffman of Guilford, Indiana; and Ben (Marty) Hicks of Montgomery; seven grandchildren: Robert Craig Hollingsworth of Sandersville, Georgia; Mark David Hollingsworth, of Ripley, Mississippi; Scot Rabon Hollingsworth of Orange Park, Florida; Edward Lloyd (Becky) Hoffman, of Connersville, Indiana; Kendra DeRegules(Alex) of San Diego, California: Jay Benjamin (Terra) Hicks, Stephanie Hicks and Nick Smith of Hixson, Tennessee; six great-grandchildren and a nephew Elmer Roy Chaffer III of Sparks, Nevada. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Saint Timothys Episcopal Church, 207 East Washington Street, Athens, Alabama, 35611, or to the Gideons. Limestone Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Robert E. Chaffer

March 4, 1926 - September 1, 2011