August 31, 2025, 85, Goldsboro —
Robert Merton Bishop, lovingly known as Bob, long time resident of New Bern, passed away Sunday evening, August 31, 2025 at Crystal Coast Hospice Center in Newport.
Mr. Bishop was a native of Massachusetts. Soon after high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He also earned a bachelor’s degree from Embry Whittle University. His military career spanned 24 years, during which he served in Vietnam. He was an aircraft electrical systems mechanic. He also taught electrical systems mechanics. Having been assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Base in Goldsboro, that’s where he met Marianne King from Mount Olive, and they eventually married. His duties carried him and Mrs. Bishop to Clark Air Base in the Philippines, Castle Air Base in Atwater, California, to England, to White Sands Missie Base in Alamaguardo, New Mexico, and following his retirement, the couple made New Bern their home. His retirement years allowed him to work many more years for the N. C. State Division of Air Quality at Washington, NC.
Mr. Bishop was a Masonic brother and held membership in a lodge in Massachusetts.
Surviving family members include his wife, Marianne King Bishop, with home 56 years of marriage was celebrated June 14, 2025; a brother, Richard L. Bishop and his wife, Jennifer, of Wrentham, Massachusetts; a nephew, Jeffrey Bishop and his wife, Pattie; and a niece, Mary Rose and her husband, Christopher, all of Massachusetts; a God-daughter, Erin Brette Davis Harris and her husband, Robert, of Warsaw; a special friend, Brian Walker, of Glasgow, Scotland; and members of the King family to include Bud and Jackie King of Kenly, Ben and Martha King of Mount Olive, Tom and Debbie King of Southport, Olivia and Donnie Strickland of Goldsboro, and Sue and Ronnie Davis of Mount Olive, along with their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Melbourne Bishop and Ruth Hooper Bishop; and his in-laws, Eddice and Martha White McPhail King.
The life of Mr. Bishop will be remembered at a graveside service on Saturday, September 6, at 2 p.m. in Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive. Officiating will be the Rev. Bryan Wheeler. Mrs. Bishop and other family members will warmly greet friends at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Socieity, or to the charity of one’s choice.
(Note: cemetery address is 317 East James Street, Mount Olive, NC 28365)
