ISLEBORO and PINEHURST, N.C. – Robert Edmund Clayton, 92, of Pinehurst, N.C. and Islesboro, died Nov. 24, 2005, Thanksgiving Day, at home in Pinehurst from natural causes. Mr. Clayton was born in Boston, Mass. He was raised in Hudson, Mass., Hannibal, Mo. and Rock Island, Ill. He received a bachelor’s of science in chemical engineering from State University of Iowa. After two years in chemicals at Naugatuck Chemical Company in Naugatuck, Conn. and five years in rubber reclaiming at Pequanoc Rubber Company in Butler, N.J., he spent the remainder of his career at Exxon Mobil Corporation, known at the time as Esso. He worked mainly at Exxon Research and Engineering Company in Linden, N.J., working with rubbery polymers and plastics made from petroleum raw materials and earning the title of research associate. His research and inventions contributed significantly to the war effort during World War II when sources of natural rubber were not under allied control. He was originator of 27 U.S. Patents and a member of the American Chemical Society. He was proud of accomplishing much without an advanced degree. Mr. Clayton put himself through college by playing saxophone and clarinet in dance bands. He played most of his adult life and the clarinet was under his bed when he died. He also enjoyed sailing, bridge, dancing and above all, golf, making a hole-in-one at age 80 and playing regularly until nearly 90. He also introduced many friends and relatives to the pleasures of a summer home on Islesboro, which had been built by his own grandfather. On Islesboro he was a Mason, belonging to Island Lodge No. 89 and of course, playing sax in the Charlie Pendleton Band as often as he was on the island. He had a long and interesting life and will be greatly missed by those who loved him. Mr. Clayton was predeceased in 1979 by his wife of 39 years, Jean; and in 2005, by his wife of 25 years, Grace. Survivors include, children, Ann Bjork (Lyle) of Seattle, Wash., Robert of Islesboro, and Philip (Isabelle) of Brussels, Belgium. Other survivors include, Robert Smith (Barbara) of Novi, Mich., Richard Smith (Louise) of Nassau, N.H., Grace’s son by a previous marriage, six grandchildren, one great-grandson, two children of Robert and Barbara Smith; two sisters, Doris Wenos (Harold) and Jean Carlson of Rock Island, Ill. and many nieces and nephews.
ROBERT EDMUND CLAYTON
