Robert Stancil

Robert Lee Stancil, of Mooresville, NC passed away on August 20, 2021 at the age of 85. Bob grew up in Davidson, NC and graduated from North Mecklenburg High School and Davidson College. He played football while at Davidson and regularly followed the ups and downs of his college’s athletic teams throughout the years. He lost his father (John Henry) his freshman year at Davidson and credits his professors and the college community for helping him reach the finish line. He married his high school sweetheart: Sydney Whitener in 1958. Together they had three children: Henry, Susan (spouse - Mark Sumner) and Donna (David Abbott); Four grandchildren: Robert Abbott, James Abbott (Lindsay), Daniel Sumner (Catie) and Sydney Sumner (Ben Sternfeld); and one great grandson: Theodore (Daniel/Catie).

 In 2009 after 50 years of marriage he lost his first love, Syd, but continued his life as a devoted grandfather, always eager to share a grand story about his adventures with them to anyone he met. He proudly attended four college graduations (climbing steep stadium steps, sitting in rain, and listening to all those commencement addresses). He offered funny critical reviews of each graduation. He also had the pleasure to attend the medical school graduation of his namesake Robert. Three weddings followed, and he was able to offer a little grandfatherly marriage advice and country wisdom gained over many years.

 Bob lived a life full of adventure and epic road trips. Whether searching for Blueridge pottery, antiques for his kids or hidden treasures at the dump, it was always about the people he met along the way. He loved the outdoors: hunting-fishing-camping and shared these passions with his children and grandchildren. He celebrated each one’s 1st catch (no matter how big or how small), willingness to let them bait their own hook or graduate from a cane pole to a rod & reel. Simple milestones but they were priceless to a child. He was the country grandpa: baseball in the front yard, golf in a wide open pasture (complete with old carpet putting greens), go cart racing (he did ask for mom approval first), hikes in the woods explaining all the plants and animals that lived there and BB target practice in the basement. Just a few important safety rules, but there were never any ER visits!

Bob loved to drive and could go for hours without stopping, but for the kids the reward was generally worth it. Spring Break baseball road trips with grandkids always meant a stop in Georgia with breakfast at the Waffle House the next morning, fresh OJ at the Florida Welcome Center and a bucket full of foul balls and a lot of signed baseballs from both up and coming and star players.

 Bob would tell the kids that, “Character is how you act when no one is watching”. Well he was a “character” when they were watching, but he also showed his true character throughout his life, no matter if it was family or friends, co-workers or teammates or even the stranger on the street. That is what made him Bob: husband-father-grandpa-friend.

Late in his life he had the opportunity to reunite with an old high school classmate, and in April of 2021, he was blessed to marry Helen Barnette, adding new family members and a larger community into his life. This new family was tremendously supportive as his health declined. He passed at peace, grateful to all that loved him and knowing that his legacy will only grow and flourish.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Hopewell Baptist Church (18841 Davidson-Concord Rd, Davidson) at 11am on Saturday August 28, 2021.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider contributions to a local community charity of your choice. Bob was a strong believer on practiced “paying it forward”.