Robert Chewning

CHEWNING, ROBERT LYNN BOB Memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church for Robert Lynn Bob Chewning, age 96, of Roswell who passed away May 11, 2013. Dr. Douglas Mills and Rev. Jim Bignell will officiate.
Bob was born November 16, 1916 to a pioneering family that helped originally settle the Pecos Valley. He was bom and raised on a small family farm three miles east of Roswell on the Berrendo River. His parents, Henry and Sally Dunnahoo Chewning instilled in him his love of family and friends, sense of community, love of music and nature and a strong work ethic.
Bob attended school in Roswell and while growing up worked on the family farm and for his brother at Clardy Milk. He went to work for JC Penneys in the late 30s. He married his wife, Louise Jones on September 6, 1940 and soon thereafter joined the 8th Air Force and was stationed in England during World War II. Upon his return from the war, he returned to work at JC Penneys and later worked for Everybodys Department Store. In the late 40s he partnered with Raymond Richmond and they formed Richmond and Chewning and together they operated the shoe department in Knadles Department store at the corner of 3rd and Main. In the early 60s they moved their shoe business to the Broadmoor Shopping Center. During this time, Bob became very involved in the community, being an active member in Sertoma Club, Elks Club, Southeast New Mexico Fair Board, and the Roswell school board. Richmond and Chewning opened their second store in the Monterrey Shopping Center on the same day it was announced that Walker Air Force Base was closing in the mid 60s. After Mr. Richmond died, Chewning Footwear moved to one location at the corner of McGaffey and Main and later built a new store at 301 W. McGaffey. Bob and the Chewning Footwear family met the footwear needs for residents of the Pecos Valley and beyond for over 60 years. Bobs love of people and genuine interest in improving the quality of life of those around him could be seen in every aspect of his life. Through the years he supported countless youth organizations and events, as well as a multitude of other worthwhile causes. His first wife, Louise, precede him in death and he married Lorraine Cavanaugh in 1993, who passed away in 2010.
Bob is survived by his proud and loving family, MaryLou Davis and husband Jack of Scotsdale, AZ, Susan Siepel and husband Norm, of Carlsbad, NM Three grandchildren, Brian Davis of Portland Oregon, Dr. Joshua Siepel and his wife Shelaine of Brighton England and Jennifer Cassidy and husband Kevin of Houston, TX. He has one great granddaughter, Astarte Davis of Portland, Oregon
His extended family includes nieces and nephews Lynda, Tim, Mike and Steve Whalen, Charlie Chewning, Patricia Chewning Galbraith and all their families. In addition, he is survived by his Chewning Footwear family, step children, Tim and Belinda Cavanaugh, Cathy and Luther Jones, Colleen Blackman, Dina Cavanaugh and their children, as well as the multitude who considered him their second Dad.
The family wishes to thank the Chewning Angels who so lovingly cared for Bob over the last 3 years Julie and Mike Adams, Mona Dunn, JoAnn Juarez, Lupe Portillo, Karen Knecht and Julia Dillard. A very special thanks goes to Silvia Mein, his adopted daughter who literally dedicated the last 3 years of her life to seeing that he was well cared for, comfortable and content.

Memorial donations can be made to The Historical Society and Foundation of Southeast New Mexico Chewning Footwear Exhibit at 200 N. Lea in Roswell ,Roswell Sertoma Clubs, Bob Chewning Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 202, Roswell, NM 88202.

Service

Memorial

First United Methodist Church
200 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201
Saturday, May 18, 2013
2:00 P.M.

Memorial Contributions

Chewning Footwear Exhitib
Roswell, NM  88201


Bob Chewning Scholarship Fun
Roswell, NM  88202