Mr. Robert Milton Houck age 89, of Todd, died on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Margate Health and Rehabilitation Center after an extended period of declining health. Mr. Houck was born on August 15, 1926 in Ashe County to J. Lee and Hessie Wilcox Houck. Mr. Houck was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters.

Mr. Houck was a brick mason, and a retired rural mail carrier for the US Postal Service. He served for many years as an elected member of the Board of Supervisors of the New River Soil and Water Conservation District.

Mr. Houck was an active member of Zion United Methodist Church where he served as church treasurer for several decades. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, volunteering for service at age 17, and was assigned to a Naval Patrol Class Escort Ship in the Atlantic Ocean. At the end of the war, he returned home to marry Nona Roland, who became his wife of 69 years.

Mr. Houck retired at the age of 55 and dedicated the remainder of his life sharing his time and his passion for life with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsman and storyteller. He was well known as a skilled hunter and fisherman. He loved to travel and enjoyed sharing his love of adventure with others. He had the ability to make people feel as if they were the most important person in the room and he was able to inspire adoration up until the end of his life.

Mr. Houck is survived by his wife, Nona Roland Houck, of Forest Ridge Assisted Living in West Jefferson; one daughter, Sharon Houck Duvall of Crumpler; one son, Barry Edwin Houck of Todd. Also surviving are five grandchildren and multiple great grand children.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 2 pm at Zion United Methodist Church by Rev. Brian Cornell. Burial followed in Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery with Military Rites. The family received friends from 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday, July 18, 2016 at Badger Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Zion United Methodist Church 253 Zion Methodist Church Road Todd, NC 28684 or to Caldwell Hospice of the High Country, 902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Words of comfort and remembrance may be viewed or sent to the family through our website at www.badgerfuneralhome.com.

Badger Funeral Home was entrusted with Mr. Houck's arrangements.