Robert Leroy Atwell, Jr., of Richmond, Va., died on July 21, 2013. Roy, the son of Robert Leroy Atwell and Lucy Williams Atwell, was born in Richmond, Virginia on September 9, 1937. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he finished first in his class. Following his graduation from The Citadel, Roy served four years in the United States Air Force achieving the rank of Captain prior to his discharge. Roy later earned his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Virginia. Roy was an avid runner, having completed 44 marathons including the New York and Boston Marathons and the first 24 Richmond Marathons with his best time being 3 hours 5 minutes which he achieved when he was in his forties. He was proud of his ancestry including his maternal grandfather, Archelaus Hughes Williams of Wytheville, who represented his community as a Delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1956. In memory of his parents, Roy recently founded the Robert Leroy Atwell and Lucy Williams Atwell Foundation. Roy returned to Richmond, to reside in his family home in 1974. He was a longstanding member of Willow Oaks Country Club. Roy was well-known and well-liked in his neighborhood, taking long walks during the warm weather months and stopping to visit with a dozen or more neighbors along the way. A lifelong learner, Roy was a voracious reader and knowledgeable on almost any topic a person could raise in conversation. Roy bravely faced illness and resulting disability during the past five years never losing his zest for living or interest in his friends. He is survived by many friends and neighbors. A graveside service will held for Roy Atwell at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, in Maury Cemetery. A reception in honor and memory of Roy will follow at the Commonwealth Club, 401 W. Franklin Street at 4 p.m. Tags: 1960
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