Robert "Bob" Chertok

Dr. Robert (Bob) Joseph Chertok went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. He died peacefully in his sleep with his loving wife by his side.

Bob was born September 5, 1935 to Maude and William Chertok in Spartanburg, SC. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors degree in Biology. He received his Masters degree in Zoology at the University of Miami and his Ph.D. in Medical Physiology at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Bob worked as a Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in Livermore, CA. He had many publications while there and observed and conducted research on several nuclear tests that were performed at the Nevada Nuclear Test site. He later moved into research as a Senior Scientist at the University of Tennessee, Comparative Animal Research Laboratory. After leaving research he found his true calling as a Physiology Professor at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, first in Montserrat and later in St. Maarten. He loved his life in the Caribbean, calling it his Camelot. He retired as Dean of the University and remained on the Board of Directors for many years after his retirement. Even with all of the accolades received in his career, he always felt his greatest accomplishment was his loving family.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Dorothy Ann Mason Chertok; his three daughters, Ellen Brooks and husband, Jimmy of Denver, NC, Linda McCrimmon and husband, Tom of Mt. Pleasant, NC; and Laura Tolbert and husband, Rick of Concord, NC; four grandchildren, John Redford, wife, Megan of Concord, NC, Tommy McCrimmon of Wilmington, NC, Christina McCrimmon of Concord, NC, and Annalee Tolbert of Concord, NC; one great grandson, Smith Redford of Concord, NC; and one brother, Michael Chertok of Bakersfield, CA.

He was dearly loved by his family. Bob was a faithful member of Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church in Concord, NC. He served on the church council and had many dear friends there. He loved having wing night with his buddies from church and hosting the annual Sunday School Christmas party.

Bob’s life was spent serving the Lord, raising a wonderful family, and building a distinguished career. His thirst for knowledge never ended. He lived many years in the Caribbean dodging hurricanes and volcanoes, as well as meeting rock stars and royalty. He truly lived a full and wonderful life. More than anything he loved God, his wife, his family, and his wine.

Services will be held at Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church in Concord, NC on Saturday, December 18, 2021. The family will receive friends at the church from 1-2 pm, the service will follow at 2 pm and the interment will be in the church cemetery. Following the service, the family invites friends to come to their home for fellowship and a celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Opportunity House, 72 Corban Avenue, Concord, NC 28025, (opphouse.net) or Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church, 3600 US-601, Concord, NC 28025, (mthermonELCA.org).