Bob Bradshaw, age 78, died peacefully in the company of family and friends at the Presbyterian Harris Hospice Unit on January 20, 2012.
Bob was born August 23, 1933 in Raleigh, NC, the oldest son of the late Rev. Robert Wallace Bradshaw and Frances Wiggins Bradshaw Benson. He spent his childhood years in Tarboro, Durham, Greenville and Wilson, NC where he graduated from high school. He continued his education at Duke University and was Editor-in-Chief of the Duke Chronicle, president of the student body, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa. He was also inducted into the Order of the Red Friars and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He graduated from Duke University Law School in 1957 where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Duke Law Journal and was inducted into The Order of the Coif. Upon graduation, he entered the practice of law with Cravath, Swain and Moore in New York. In 1959, he came to Charlotte and joined Lassiter, Moore and Van Allen, and in 1960 entered into partnership with Russell M. Robinson, II and J. Carlton Fleming to form the firm Fleming, Robinson & Bradshaw, which subsequently became Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson. He served on the Board of Visitors of Duke Law School and was a life member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference.
Bob was active in and enjoyed many aspects of community life. He served on the Board of Directors of Cato Corporation, as well as the boards of Discovery Place, Central Piedmont Community College, Levine Museum of the New South, North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, and The Children’s Scholarship Fund. Bob was a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board.
One of his passions throughout his entire life was his involvement in various capacities in local, state, and national politics. He managed and advised several campaigns, which included the U.S. Congressional campaigns of Gov. James G. Martin and Hon. J. Alex McMillan, the U.S. Senatorial campaign of Sen. Lauch Faircloth, and the North Carolina gubernatorial campaigns of Governor Martin and former Charlotte mayor Richard A. Vinroot. Under Governor Martin, he served as Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.
In addition to his lifelong love of politics, Bob treasured his weekly tennis matches with good friends, the beach trips to the South Carolina Low Country where he was content to stand at the shore with rod in hand whether the fish were biting or not, and his many hunting and fishing trips to “Wasted Acres” and “The Farm” in Wadesboro. Also of importance was his loyal obsession with Duke Basketball. But his greatest love was his family.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Janet Young Bradshaw; his daughter, Ashley Bradshaw Graeber (Blake) and their son, Connor; his son, Robert Bradshaw, III and children, Margaret and Emma; and his step-grandchildren, Cameron and Bryant Graeber, and Avery, Marilyn and Justin Combs. He is also survived by his brothers, Michael James Bradshaw (Lynn) and Rev. Francis Connor Bradshaw (Sue); nephews, Michael and Patrick; nieces, Carol and Connie; and brother-in-law, Donald L. Kirkland (Dee). He is predeceased by his loving and faithful Labrador, Sherman.
The family expresses sincere appreciation to Hayward Brennan, Collins Fomonung, Anthony Simmons, and Lee Whitaker for their loyal and devoted home-care of Bob, to Dr. James E. Pugh, and to the staff of Presbyterian Hospital, particularly those in the Harris Hospice Unit whose extraordinary care made Bob’s final days peaceful and dignified.
A memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 in the sanctuary of Myers Park United Methodist Church, followed by a reception in Jubilee Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Children’s Scholarship Fund, 708 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203; to the Harris Hospice Unit at Presbyterian Hospital, 200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, 28204; or to the Jubilee Plus Fund at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Rd., Charlotte, 28207.
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