Robert William Duddleston

Born on July 19, 1941, in Jersey City, NJ, Robert "Bob" William Duddleston was a son of the late Christina Jewusiak Duddleston and the late Albert Duddleston.

Robert Duddleston, 82, of Charleston, SC, went to be with the Lord on November 25th, 2023.

Bob Duddleston graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri May of 1967.  He did his vicarage at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Marshfield, Wisconsin.  He then began his pastoral ministry in July of 1967 at Faith Lutheran Church in Kinston, NC. He served there until June of 1976 when he moved to Charleston, South Carolina to be the pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church. He continued as the pastor there for 27 years until his retirement in 2003. Pastor D was never one for doing "the usual", and he stayed and worshiped as a member of Calvary Lutheran Church after his retirement until the day he went to be with Jesus.

His family could fill a whole book with stories of his sense of humor and his dedication to serving people. From woodwork to painting, Bob Duddleston was a handyman and a craftsman with an attention to detail. His famous Christmas yard signs were always a huge hit at the church mission fundraiser and many people were blessed with personalized door hangings with their children's names. It was common to see Pastor D picking weeds from the church lawn in his sweatpants and a sweater (even in the summer heat) or up on a ladder (without his wife's knowledge!) making sure the Christmas decorations in the church were put up just right.

A loving father of four, Robert Duddleston made it his life's goal to be like Jesus and to share Jesus with those around him - to his family, his neighbors, and even the ends of the world. He and his wife, Grace, started Jeremiah 29:11 Ministries, which mainly focused on short term mission trips. He has traveled on teams (often with Grace) to many countries including Iraq, Burma, India, Guatemala, and more. He served as a chaplain for the National Guard Reserves and in his retirement he spent a lot of time as a substitute teacher in the Charleston County School District.

While at Calvary, Pastor Duddleston would come to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit and lead the church in renewal in 1977. He would tell everyone he knew that, even though he was a pastor, he did not truly come to have a personal relationship with Jesus until he experienced the Holy Spirit that year. It changed him; it changed his entire family, and many people came to consider him a spiritual father as a result.

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? and Where do you worship? Whether you knew him as Pastor D, Mr. D, Papa D, Pop-Pop, Grandpa, or just Bob... It was impossible to know him without being asked those three questions. So, as a family, we ask that you consider those questions as you reflect on his passing. He is now worshiping Jesus face to face, and we know that he would want nothing more than to see those that he knew and loved there with him one day.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Grace Edna Emily Moren Duddleston; children: Timothy (Kathleen) Duddleston, Nancy (Joseph) Beck, Karen (Lance) Leader and Matthew (Joanna) Duddleston; grandchildren: James (Jill) Duddleston, Emily Beck, Jennifer Duddleston, Andrew Beck, Stephen Leader, Nicholas Leader, Nathan Leader, Sarah Duddleston, Alexandra Duddleston, Emma Grace Duddleston and Matty Duddleston; and brothers, Albert Duddleston and Ronald Duddleston. 

The funeral service will be held at 5:00 pm on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1400 Manor Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29407. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, 1400 Manor Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29407 for the "Pastor Duddleston Short Term Mission Fund" that will help others continue to share the message of Jesus around the world.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.