Robert Brownlee Welsh (K-347), who photographed many of Charlotte’s brides, families, and individuals, died January 3, 2025, with a legacy that included World War II service in the Battle of the Bulge that he detailed in an autobiographical book, Two Foes to Fight. He was 102. He celebrated his last birthday on November 7 with festivities that lasted a week, including one at his Sunday school class at Myers Park Presbyterian Church where he had been a member since his senior year in high school and taught Sunday school classes for decades.

Robert Welsh was born in Muskogee, OK, and lived in Oklahoma City and Tulsa before he finished his senior year at Charlotte’s Central High School. At Davidson College, he joined ROTC that led to his being commissioned a second lieutenant in 1942 and joining the 87th Infantry of General George Patton’s Third Army in October 1944. He saw his first action in the Saar Valley along the German border in December, then fought at the Battle of the Bulge as a Tiger Patrol leader. Over the next four months, he marched across Germany to Plauen on the Czechoslovakian border.

But Germany wasn’t all fighting and heroics. When deployed in the US Zone during the Occupation of Germany, he met the smiling face of the librarian, Marie-Luis “Marlis” Osmers, who conversed in perfect English to win his heart that led—after rolls of red tape—to their marriage and the birth of the first child, Katherine. He loved to tell the story of paying the German doctor two cartons of cigarettes to deliver Katherine—cigarettes being more valuable than money in post-World War II Germany.

Discharged, he finished at Davidson, then interrupted his studies at University of North Carolina Law School to begin his photography career to provide for his growing family. Son Robert, Jr. was born in 1950. Robert, Jr. struck down by a major stroke at 22, never fully recovered. Robert, Sr. took a major role in maintaining a loving life for Robert, Jr. until his death at 66, going to lunch with him daily and keeping Robert, Jr’s love of playing games alive by playing Cribbage with him throughout each week.

Over the years, the walls of many Charlotte homes were adorned with award-winning wedding and personal portraits by Bob Welsh. He and his family loved to play golf at Carmel Country Club, and in the 1970’s Bob was the program photographer for the Kemper Open at Quail Hollow Country Club. He and Marlis also enjoyed skiing and were early members of the Charlotte Ski Bees and taught skiing at Beech Mountain (NC) Ski School when needed.

In retirement, Robert became active in the 87th Infantry Division and Battle of the Bulge Veteran’s Association, attending meetings and giving speeches about his war exploits. Retirement also meant time to paint landscapes, portraits, and introspective canvasses that were used for the covers of on two of his other books: Bob’s Theology, poems of his unique perspective of Christianity, and Mystical Enigma, plays of Biblical Scripture, one of which was performed in an adult Sunday school class at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in 2015.

When Katherine, Robert’s and Marlis’ daughter, was entering college in 1964, a third child entered the Welsh household, George, who was named for Robert’s father, and who aided Robert in publishing three books in his last 18 months of life.

In addition to Katherine of Rock Hill, SC and George (Jennifer) of Baton Rouge, LA, Mr. Welsh leaves behind a grandson, James Allen (Jace) Crockett (Carrie) of Lynchburg, VA, Ryan Welsh, Nathan Welsh, and Elly Welsh of Baton Rouge, and Max Welsh of Charlotte, and one great grandchild, Elizabeth Crockett of Lynchburg.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, January 18 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church.