Robert "Bob" Courtland Deskin

Robert Courtland Deskin was born on December 27, 1932, in Moberly, Missouri, to Paul Courtland and Edna (Ainsworth) Deskin. Bob passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024, at Westminster Palms in St. Petersburg, Florida. 

Bob grew up in St. Louis and then Boonville, Missouri. He graduated from Laura Speed Elliot High School in Boonville in 1951. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he graduated with his BS in Chemical Engineering in 1955. Bob met the love of his life, Mary Gay Laughlin, in Columbia.

Bob and Mary Gay married in her grandparents’ home on Highway 50 in Linn on January 29, 1955. They then moved to Charleston, WV, where Bob began his career with DuPont. Bob and Mary Gay later lived in Wilmington, DE, and Akron, OH, while he worked for DuPont. They then moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where Bob earned a master’s degree from Carnegie-Mellon University, and then on to a career with WR Grace in Winchester, MA, and Fort Worth, TX, before retiring in Florida. It was quite a great adventure across America!

Bob and Mary Gay enjoyed traveling, particularly throughout the American Southwest and France, often visiting friends residing in Europe. Bob preferred to keep busy gardening and with church work, but was always happy to stop and enjoy a cookie or some ice cream. After his retirement, Bob enjoyed being a supportive and involved grandfather.

Bob is survived by his son, Bruce Deskin and wife Rachel of St. Petersburg, FL, and Houston, TX, daughter, Paula Korstvedt and husband Benjamin of Rutland, MA, his grandchildren, Thomas Deskin, Matthew Deskin and Samuel Korstvedt, and his sister-in-law, Alice Scott, as well as four nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary Gay (Laughlin) Deskin, their son Andy Deskin, and his parents, Paul and Edna Deskin.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Morton Chapel in Linn. Graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Linn Public Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214). www.mortonchapel.com