Robert L. Wall - The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald (2024)

CONCORD, NC – Robert L. (Bob) Wall, born in Rockingham County and long-time resident of Concord and West Jefferson, passed peacefully, on June 3, 2024 in Cabarrus County among his loving and devoted family at the age of 93. He strove to exemplify his own advice: “Be determined, practice, be willing to serve others, make mistakes and try again, teach yourself, make lifelong friends, be genuine, be committed to keeping your promises, put your family first, and love unconditionally. Finally, do the best that you can. Angels in heaven can do no more.”

Bob, born to James Lloyd (Lloyd) Wall and Nannie Pearl (Nank) Wall, cherished his wife of over 68 years, Trilby Alice Tucker Wall, whom he met when they sang in the Guilford College A Capella Choir. He was a hero to his family, including his daughter Silda Alice Wall Spitzer and Erik Martin Stangvik, daughter Susan Anya Wall Grayson and John Kendall Sheldon, and son James Lloyd Wall II and Jill Comer Wall; seven grandchildren: Elyssa Spitzer and Ian Wells, Sarabeth Spitzer and Charlie Cabot, Jenna Spitzer and Mathijs Vakkar, Katherine Quin Grayson and Kaesey Grayson, Robert Wall Grayson, Bailey Elizabeth Wall and Colton A. Plaza, and James Tucker Wall and Hannah Croyle Wall; and three great grandchildren: Rowan Spitzer-Wells, Griffin Spitzer-Wells, and Levi James Wall.

Bob served Cabarrus Memorial Hospital for 31 years ending in 1994, first as Assistant Administrator, then Administrator/President/CEO. He also served on the Hospital’s Board of Trustees. Upon his retirement, his successor noted, “Words will not adequately express our sincere appreciation for your outstanding performance, but our future will be a reflection of your past 30 plus years of untiring dedication to our patients, community, and employees.”

One of his proudest accomplishments was growing the Cabarrus School of Nursing, originally founded by Louise Harkey in 1942 to meet the demand for registered nurses during World War 11 and now evolved into Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, where the Robert L. Wall Leadership Award recognizes outstanding leadership.

Prior to his hospital administration work, Bob graduated from Guilford College and proudly served as a First Lieutenant and navigator in the United States Air Force. Afterwards, he received a Masters in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters in Hospital Administration from Duke University.

In addition to his work at the hospital, Bob lead through a number of hospital- and healthcare- related professional and community organizations, including the American College of Hospital Administrators (Renamed American College of Healthcare Executives) – Member, Fellowship Certification and Recertification Fellow, Regent; American College of Healthcare Executives; North Carolina Hospital Association Board of Trustees; American Hospital Association Member; NC Board of Nursing (12 years) – Governor’s Appointee, Nurse Practice Committee Member, Executive Committee member; Duke Affiliation – Member, Medical Educational Fund Committee; Piedmont Area Mental Health Centers – Member, Treasurer; Cancer Control Center, Durham, NC – Member, Advisory Council; Advisor on the Blue Cross Subscriber Advisory Council; CareOlina Health – Founder, Board Member; Cabarrus Memorial Hospital Home Health Care – Board Member, Founder; Cabarrus County Home Health Agency – Board Member and founded insurance company jointly with the Cannon Mills Company; Cabarrus Cancer Society – Member, Director; Cabarrus County Red Cross – Director; and Founders Society of Northeast Medical Center – Member, Founder. He was advisor to the Cannon Mills Cancer Detection Program, Cabarrus County Rescue Squad, and Cabarrus County Ambulance Service.

Bob also served his community in a number of other ways, including Rotary Club International of Concord, NC – Member 50 years, President, District Budget Committee, Elected as Paul Harris Fellow; Cabarrus County Boys and Girls Club – Member, President; Cabarrus County United Way – Member, Director; Habitat for Humanity – Member, Board Member, home construction participant – built about 6 homes; and Rowan Technical Institute – Committee on Continuing Education, among others. The Chamber of Commerce of Concord North Carolina Sister Cities Program elected Robert and Trilby to serve as ambassadors to Ireland. A couple of his service awards include: United Way – North Carolina – Member, Outstanding Community Service Award, Cabarrus County and the Cabarrus County Department of Aging – Chairman of the Board’s Award.

Later, Bob served for a number of years on the board of Concord National Bank (CNB), renamed First Charter Corporation (since merged with Fifth Third Corporation.)

For recreation, Bob helped form the Cabarrus County Cycle Club and was its Chaplain and Safety Director. He enjoyed his workshop, home improvements of all types and maintaining family vehicles. The family enjoyed annual summer trips to The Outer Banks.

In his retirement, he and Trilby built their dream home in West Jefferson, NC alongside the New River and delighted in their friends and activities there. In the past several years, he and Trilby returned to their home in Concord and then moved to the Gardens of Taylor Glen Retirement Community, where Bob relished being part of the AI group.

Bob was a member of First Baptist Church, Concord, where he was a Deacon, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, and Finance Committee Member. In West Jefferson, he and Trilby attended Jefferson United Methodist Church.

On Sunday, June 9, at First Baptist Church, Concord, Bob will lie in state from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, with funeral service from 2:00 – 3:00 pm and visitation with family from 3:00 – 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cabarrus County Boys and Girls Club, PO Box 1405, Concord, NC 28026 and the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in care of the Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation, 920 Church Street N., Concord, NC 28025.