Cunningham, Robert
CUNNINGHAM, DR. ROBERT P.
Age 93, Physician, Community and Church Leader, CPR Pioneer, Torch Bearer for Atlanta Olympic Games, died peacefully on November 4, 2021, at The Mann House Assisted Living.
Born January 23, 1928, to Mary Mangrem and William Everhart Cunningham, he and Verdery Roberts were married on June 8, 1950. He grew up on Penn Avenue, spending summers hunting and fishing with his brothers on their grandmother's farm in Columbia, TN. He was a graduate of Boy's High, Emory University, and Emory Medical School.
Dr. Cunningham practiced medicine as a specialist in internal medicine from his office on Cypress Street, made "house calls," and was Medical Director for 10 years at Highview and Happy Haven Nursing Homes. In 1966, he became Corporate Medical Director and, later, Consultant for Southern Bell/Bell South, where he worked for 31 years. He was certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and a Trustee of the Medical Association of Atlanta.
He was forever grateful for his staff, Ann Strickland and Nurses Mary Ann Jones and Annette Barfield, and worked closely with company medical directors, Drs. Julian Albergotti (Carolinas), James Byrne (Florida), and Kenneth Woodsides (Georgia). He was especially proud of programs developed and directed by Bell South associates Dr. Ron Finch (Employees Assistance Program) and Dr. Joann Patterson (LifeReach). The former was heralded as "a world-class program" by Drs. Paul Roman (UGA) and Terry Blum (GA Tech). LifeReach received an Award of Excellence from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services.
In 1969, with Dr. Joe Wilbur, Dr. Cunningham helped introduce and develop Georgia Heart Association's Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) program. For 14 years he taught Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support throughout Georgia to medical professionals, athletic trainers, and Fulton County Stadium personnel. He received the American Heart Association Bronze (1971) and Silver (1975) Meritorious Service Awards. In 1984, Dr. John Forestner, Chair of the American Heart Assoc. Emergency Cardiac Care Committee published a recognition of Dr. Cunningham's volunteer service as a "valuable service to this Organization."
The Medical Assoc. of Atlanta awarded Dr. Cunningham the Aven Cup Citizenship Award in 1976. Commenting on the honor, longtime friend and associate, Dr. Bill Galloway, said "You have touched the lives of many people of all ages, and you have made a considerable contribution to medicine, especially in the important areas of preventive medicine and fitness."
He served for many years as a Director for the Northside and Metropolitan YMCA Boards, GA Tech Inst. Review Board, Sterling Inst., Inst. Review Boards for Human Research and American Humanities at GA State Univ. He helped build 20 Habitat for Humanity Homes and volunteered with many organizations, including Hartsfield/Jackson Airport USO, Atlanta Community Food Bank, and Special Olympics Georgia.
At the Northside YMCA he was instrumental in developing "Teen Involvement," a drug education program using high school students to counsel elementary school students. Adopted by the Metropolitan YMCA, 11 high schools and 31 elementary schools utilized the program. He was a Flight Surgeon in the US Air Force stationed in Texas and Morocco, North Africa, a member of the Atlanta Kiwanis Club for 25 years, and a Past-President of the Emory University Alumni Association Executive Committee.
A fan of sports, Dr. Cunningham was an accomplished soccer referee for high school and local amateur games. He volunteered as team physician for the early professional soccer teams, Atlanta Chiefs and Apollos, and the football teams at Sandy Springs and Ridgeview High Schools. He served on the 1984 Olympic (Los Angeles) Torch Relay Medical Unit. In 1996, he was chosen a "Community Hero Torch Bearer" for the Atlanta Olympics and worked in the medical clinic in Centennial Park and the stadium clinic for the Paralympic Games. Dr. Cunningham participated in the Peachtree Road Race and in 1987, helped organize the Atlanta Mayor's Walk, a local institution for more than 20 years.
A committed member of St. James United Methodist Church for over 65 years, Dr. Cunningham served in numerous leadership and service positions. He was instrumental in writing the Church's Mission Statement, "TO HELP EVERY PERSON GROW IN FAITH THAT TRANSLATES BELIEF INTO ACTION" embodying that in his daily life, including, with his wife Verdery teaching 9-month Disciple Bible Study courses for 14 years and participating in 4 mission trips to West Virginia and Costa Rica. He served on the Atlanta-Roswell District Committee on Ordained Ministry (11 years), the South GA Conference Board of Ordained Ministry (13 years), and the Aldersgate Home Board (13 years).
Since their first date to the Fox Theater, he was devoted to his high-school sweetheart and wife of almost 71 years, Verdery, who passed away in April of this year. In addition to their church work together, for 23 years they opened their home at Christmas for international college students from across the United States, hosted a high school exchange student from Ecuador, hiked in North Georgia, the Rockies, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and cycled along the Danube River in Germany and Austria. In 2017, they took their last adventure trip and walked on glaciers in Alaska.
He is survived by his son Robert Mangrem Cunningham (Sally), daughter Verdery Cunningham Trimmer, son Buck Roberts Cunningham (Melrose); grandchildren Charlie Cunningham, Gracie Cunningham, Crawford Trimmer, Emily Cunningham McLaughlin (Conor), James Cunningham, and Clay Trimmer; and, great grandchildren Hope and Aidan Cunningham. He was preceded in death by his wife Verdery, daughter Mary Katharine Cunningham, son-in-law Bob Trimmer, and brothers William Everhart (Jennie) Cunningham and Joseph Chapman (Pat) Cunningham.
Service will be at St. James United Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at 3:00 PM, with family visitation from 2:00 to 2:45 at the Church. Memorials may be made to St. James UMC, 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta, GA 30342, or to Special Olympics Georgia, 6046 Financial Road, Norcross, GA 30071.
