KILMARNOCK—Dr. Robert C. Riley, 91, of Kilmarnock passed away on Monday, March 16, 2020.
Dr. Riley received his doctorate from Rutgers University in entomology in 1964. He was always interested in food production, and during summer vacations from high school and college, worked on dairy and cash crop farms in New York and Virginia, and at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York.
Robert served in the military for two years from 1955-1957.
He served as an associate research professor at Rutgers University and co-authored numerous scientific articles in entomology
In 1968, he took a position as entomologist for the Cooperative State Research Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., where he served as staff expert and consultant in entomology research and extension activities and in research grants administration.
In 1976, he became principal entomologist for the Cooperative State Research Service until his retirement in 1997.
In retirement he enjoyed sailing, growing oysters and gardening.
He was a dearly loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Toni-Ann; son, Brian; daughter, Gail Dotson and son-in-law, Bill Dotson.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert Preston Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University or to Bon Secours Hospice.
