Robert Taylor, Jr.

Waynesville, Dr. Robert Dale Taylor, Jr., age 79, affectionately known to all as "Bob", shed the shackles of Alzheimer's on Friday morning, September 1, 2017. Born February 25, 1938 and raised on his Daddy's famous barbeque sauce in Odessa, Texas, he was the son of oilman Robert D. Taylor, Sr. and wife, Cecile Oyler Taylor. Bob received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting from the University of Texas in Austin and he remained a Longhorn for the rest of his life. His doctorate was received from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

His career in academics began at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst and continued at the University of Colorado/Boulder, University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia, and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. He had an unpararelled ability to motivate and inspire students, staying in contact with many of them throughout his retirement.

An avid supporter of the Arts, Bob was a Board member of the Caldwell Theater, in Boca Raton, Florida, The Asheville Symphony, in Asheville, North Carolina, The Haywood Council for the Arts, Waynesville, North Carolina and HART, Haywood Arts Regional Theatre.

When the University of Texas opened a branch in Odessa/Midland, Bob was honored with an invitation to be amongst the first of the faculty, a request he accepted and enjoyed.

Bob was a people person who never met a stranger. He possessed an impressive fashion sense. If there was a dance floor and good music, he was the first to be there with Norretta. He loved Broadway Shows, New York City and traveling with friends. Over his lifetime dogs were special companions.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather.

He leaves behind his wife, Norretta; his foster daughter, Christine, and her husband, Owen, of New Hampshire; foster granddaughters, Kelsey, of Missouri, and Stephanie, of Indiana; and aunts, uncles, cousins in Louisiana and Texas.

Bob's life was as well lived as he was loved and will be celebrated on Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at the Wells Events & Reception Center in Waynesville, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Bob with a memorial donation to one of the following, Asheville Symphony, P.O. Box 2852, Asheville, NC 28802; Haywood County Arts Council, P.O. Box 306, Waynesville, NC 28786, HART Theater, 250 Pigeon Street, Waynesville, NC 28786, Haywood County Animal Shelter, 245 Hemlock Street, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803.

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