Robert Barton Davis

Robert Barton Davis passed away on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton.

He was born on Sept. 28, 1925 to Russell and Mardelle Davis of Cambridge, Md. He was educated in Cambridge schools and the Peddie School, class of 1943.

Robert enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943 and was honorably discharged after three-and-a-half years, serving in the Pacific Theatre and China as a member of the 1st Marine Division during World War II.

He attended the University of North Carolina for two years and graduated from Yale, class of 1948, and married Helen Virginia Lord on June 28, 1952. They traveled the world together and rarely left each other’s sides for more than six decades.

Robert owned and operated the Stevens-Smith & Co. store in downtown Cambridge and was one of the legendary "Four Horseman" who helped transform the economic climate of Cambridge during the 1960's. Their combined efforts helped lower the unemployment rate in the slumping town from 25 to five percent and helped usher in an integrated Cambridge during a period of unprecedented economic and cultural turmoil. His book, "Journal of the Four Horsemen of Cambridge, Md.," published in 2013, chronicled the experience.

He was also president and one of the founders of Cargo Handlers, Inc., a founder and director of the Bank of the Eastern Shore and a founding member of the Salisbury University Foundation, Inc.

For more than 70 years Robert was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Cambridge, serving as a Sunday school teacher for more than three decades and chairing its administrative board for 22 years.

After a stroke in November of last year, he fought through several related illnesses and inspired everyone around him with his bottomless courage, determination and spirit.

Robert is remembered as a devoted husband to Helen, who passed away earlier this year, an impeccable storyteller of immense breadth and wisdom, an avid sports fan, ineffable father, grandfather and great grandfather, and frequent coffee drinker at the local deli where he often met with friends every morning. He was a man of incredible integrity and kindness who had many friends and family members who loved him dearly.

He is survived by his sons Robert B. and Steven V., daughters-in-law Rebecca and Julia, grandsons Joshua, William and Michael, granddaughter Mardelle, great grandson Robert and great granddaughter Zooey.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 11 am at Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Christina Blake officiating. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. at Old Trinity Churchyard. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Race Street, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.  Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.