Robert "Bob" A. Davis

June 21, 1949 - March 10, 2025

Obituary For Robert "Bob" A. Davis

The Celebration of Life will be live-streamed and can be viewed by clicking the following link on March 30th at 2:00pm. Bob Davis- Celebration of Life

Bob Davis valued patience, persistence, and perseverance. He strived to embody these traits, whether he was holding a fly rod, coaching a high school soccer team, or navigating a journey with lung cancer. On March 10, 2025, Bob crossed the finish line and transcended the disease, with his beloved wife Judy and his cherished daughter Sarah at his side.

Bob was born in Stewartsville Township, Scotland County, North Carolina on June 21, 1949. Today, the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport stands on the site of the hospital where he was delivered. When he was three years old, his family moved to Raleigh, where his dad, Tom Davis, had been recruited as the capital city’s Chief of Police. Life in the big city was different: Chief worked long, hard hours, and Bob’s mother, Myrtle Rykard Davis, was quickly immersed in an active social life. It was not very long before Bob found his solace in the wild places that still existed just inside the city’s limits. Big brother, Mike, taught him to fish, eventually demonstrating briefly how to cast a fly rod. Bob’s life was forever changed. He liked to tell the stories of teaching each of his parents to fish, changing their lives as well. He liked to tell a lot of stories!

Another life-changing event occurred when he entered the hallowed halls of William Neal Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, only a few years after the building opened. He met men’s basketball coach Everett Case and made his college choice at the age of five. As a little guy, he attended basketball games with his dad, who provided security for the press row. He might have been the only kid in Raleigh who didn’t wish for Dixie Classic tickets in his Christmas stocking – he didn’t need a ticket. The family ran a concession stand for a while, so Bob often said that he, literally, grew up in Reynolds. He remained an ardent supporter of Wolfpack athletics, holding lifetime rights to season tickets for football, men’s basketball, and, his hands down favorite, women’s basketball. He was so grateful that he was able to attend the Play4Kay game in February this year, when the ladies defeated then-number one Notre Dame. Despite his own discomfort, he wanted to honor Coach Yow and breast cancer survivors.

As a kid, Bob loved to organize the neighborhood boys to play ball or slip down to Crabtree Creek to see what creatures they could find. These experiences led him to his calling and a degree in science education from NC State University. He taught for four years at Enloe High School in Raleigh, where he initiated an advanced biology curriculum and coached the first varsity boys’ soccer team at the school. While he moved on from public education, he considered himself a lifelong educator, always looking for opportunities to share his knowledge and skills, to perpetuate understanding.

After teaching, Bob eventually landed at the pharmaceutical company Burroughs Wellcome, where he analyzed and managed data systems, protecting the public from medicines, as he said. He retired after 25 years of service, and devoted his time to the causes he loved: plants and water gardening, volunteering at the JC Raulston Arboretum; keeping backyard chickens, co-founding the Henside the Beltline Tour d’Coop and delivering a chicken keeping course to over 1000 people; field research of bog, box, and spotted turtles; multiple terms as president of the North Carolina Herpetological Society, many 24-hour wildlife inventories in support of the Wildathon Dream Team.

Born under the sun sign of Cancer, Bob was always drawn to water. He found peace on still water, but most loved moving water, the sound, the feel, the smell of riffles and runs. He always pointed out that the fish he enjoyed catching live in beautiful places. He took great pride in eating a fish that he had caught on a fly he tied with feathers from the chickens he raised. In 2010 Bob set out on a quest to catch common carp on a fly. He applied his patience, persistence, and perseverance in order to succeed, grew spiritually in the process, and ultimately self-published a book about his journey (Angles and Angels). It was his great joy when Judy started to fish with him in 2015, and he was over the moon when his daughter Sarah took up the rod and reel last year.

Bob was blessed to enjoy a lifelong fascination with all living things. He felt that his mission was to help people discover and restore their connection with the earth. When asked what was the most important thing that he wanted people to remember about him, he said “The many ways I’ve demonstrated my love for the earth.” His brother Don remembers that Bob was the one who taught him to hug. Now we have to remember his fabulous whole body hugs. We feel his big heart and love, flowing with ease and grace in all of nature, in the sunrise, frog calls and bird song, firefly lights, singing with the stars. He will be in the white bass run, the carp tug, and the tickle of sunfish. Bob loved deeply, prayed hard, and, to paraphrase the words of one of his favorite songs, he will never be all that far from those he loves.

A private graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 20, at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery (1900 Hurdle Mills Road, Cedar Grove, North Carolina 27231). Bob’s family invites you to attend a celebration of his life on Sunday, March 30, 2:00 PM, at the JC Raulston Arboretum (4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606).

If you are moved to do so, please consider making a gift to the Bob Davis Scholarship Endowment Fund at the NC State University College of Education. Bob and his wife Judy created this scholarship to help support students who are preparing to become teachers. Bob believed that the key to our future is in our classrooms today. The scholarship provides opportunity to future teachers who represent the diversity of students in our schools.

Services

30 Mar

Celebration of Life Service

02:00 PM

JC Raulston Arboretum 4415 Beryl Road Raleigh, NC 27606 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

Photos & Video

Photos

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

March 21, 2025

Amy Allen

I am so shocked and sad to learn that dear Bob has left this world! What a loving, caring, good man. I will always remember him as one who loved the earth and all her creatures, and demonstrated that love in his actions. He impacted so many with that love and care, respect and knowledge of Nature. He was very kind, thoughtful and patient with animals, including the human ones. His spirit lives on in the places he loved, and in the hearts of those of us lucky enough to know him. We will miss you Bob. Peace to you.
March 21, 2025

David & Jane Johnson

I always enjoyed hearing one of Bob's interesting stories. Since I went to NCSU, I really enjoyed the stories about him and his father at Reynolds Coliseum for one of the basketball games. I still have the photo he shared with me of him (on his tricycle) "on duty" with his father providing security at Reynolds. A great memory. Bob was very intelligent, humorous, and well-read, and he offered such good thoughts and insights in our occasional spiritual classes and discussions. What a gentle spirit.
March 20, 2025

David Cooper

Bob is one of my very best friends and certainly one of my favorite people. He's been a mentor for me for many years, showing me the best qualities of leadership, compassion, friendship, grace, and just plain humanity. I sure will miss him down here, but I'm gonna see him again in time. Love you Bob, Judy and Sarah, and everyone else.
March 19, 2025

Carole Ann Boyer

What a wonderful and loving tribute. I know he will be missed greatly and remembered fondly. Thinking of Judy and your family and sending you all love.
March 17, 2025

Kelly Vogel

My deepest condolences to Judy and Sarah and their family. Bob was a true light for good in the world, and he had the biggest, most caring heart. He will be missed every day.
March 17, 2025

Brent Fleming

I spent the early days fishing with Myrtle! She taught me how to fish! Played on Bobs first Soccer Team! Grew up 2 doors down! Rest in Peace!
March 17, 2025

Gloria Osborne

It was an honor to have Mr. Davis as my Biology teacher at Enloe High School. Although Biology was not my favorite subject, it was his way of teaching and wonderful personality that kept you engaged. 50 plus years later, I still remember him as one of my favorite teachers. My prayers are with his family and friends. May God give you comfort in the coming days.
March 17, 2025

Roxanne Hicklin

Bob was such a kind, gentle and spiritual man. It was my great honor to call him friend and tell him I loved him. We sat beside him and his wife Judy, at the NCSU women's basketball games for many years. Bob and I shared being the first ones after the playing of the National Anthem at the beginning of every game, to break the silence with the words, "Go Pack! Go Wolfpack "! I will forever hear his voice at that time for many years to come. Rest in Peace, dear friend. ❤️
March 17, 2025

Marlene Skinner

Willie and I will always remember Bob in our hearts 💕