Sergeant Robert "Taco" Talanges

Sergeant Robert Charles “Taco” Talanges, 60, of Roebuck, SC, died Thursday, December 8, 2022 at Spartanburg Medical Center, surrounded by his wife, Mary Anna, his brothers, Ricardo and Joe, his friend, Mike Horgan, and the SCSO Dive Team. Born December 8, 1962 in Dearborn, MI, he was the son of the late Constantine James Talanges and Patricia Ann Toutant Talanges Taylor.

Robert earned his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, then began his law enforcement career in 1989 as a patrol officer with the Woodruff Police Department. In 1990, he transferred to the Spartanburg City Police Department, where he was both a patrol officer and firefighter. In 1997, he transferred to the city’s Forensic Division.

In 2005, Robert transferred to the Forensic Division of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, where he was responsible for crime scene processing and photography, evidence collection, latent print examination, and the execution of search warrants. In 2020, Robert was promoted to Sergeant at the Forensic Unit, which made him responsible for all major crime scenes, and he also trained many of the department’s other forensic officers.

In 2021, Robert transferred to the Civil Division, where he continued to serve until his passing. Robert was also a long-time member of the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team (Search and Rescue). Robert served as a devoted officer for Spartanburg County for 33 years.

Robert was also employed as the First Baptist Spartanburg Security Leader for 30 years, also served for St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church as a security officer. He was a true servant to Spartanburg County and to everyone that knew him, serving the community anytime and anywhere he could help someone.

Robert was a Hot Wheels collector, vintage car restorer, a diver, a snorkeler, and “Giver” of his time. He loved his church and church family at Walnut Grove Methodist Church, where he was a member. Robert loved their children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Anna Abercrombie Talanges (who he was devoted to and loved greatly); his children, Kaci Hensley (Jantzen), J.C. King, Adreanna Simmons, James Talanges (Carol Ann); eight grandchildren; his siblings, Constance Kennedy, Ricardo Talanges (Rita), Joe Talanges (Cindy), Irene Madsen (Delbert), and Linda Lim (John); along with many nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, James Talanges.

Visitation will be 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. A Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2022 at First Baptist Spartanburg, 250 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306, conducted by The Rev. Chris Snelgrove, The Rev. Sam Davis, The Rev. Keith Davis, and Sheriff Chuck Wright.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Dive Team, 8045 Howard Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel