Mr. Robert Lawing

Robert Wesley Lawing, 58, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on May 6, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born December 26, 1951, in Charlotte, the youngest of three children born to Thomas R. Lawing, Sr., and Catherine H. Lawing. He was a 1970 graduate of East Mecklenburg High School and a 1974 graduate of N.C. State University. Bob was a second-generation Realtor and Certified Property Manager (CPM) with T. R. Lawing Realty for 36 years.

An Eagle Scout, Bob believed in community service. He was a lifetime member of Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church where he served as Youth Counselor, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Lay Speaker, Sunday school teacher (20+ years), and Maitre de at the annual Mothers’ Day Banquet, among other leadership positions. Bob was a member of the Mint Hill Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Bodies, and the Oasis Shrine Temple.

Bob was also a lifetime member of the Queen City Optimist Club, Past Chair of the Board of Trustees of Aldersgate Retirement Community, past president of the local Institute of Real Estate Management chapter and Instructor on property management with the N.C. Real Estate Foundation (20+ years). He was the 1985 IREM Manager of the Year and 1996 GRI Instructor of the Year.

Bob’s passion was sports, and his true love was officiating. At the age of 14, he volunteered as an umpire in the Myers Park Trinity Little League program. He continued his love of officiating by working football and basketball games in the N.C. State University Intramural Department.

After college, Bob decided to take his passion of officiating to higher level. He was a North Carolina High School football & basketball official (20+ yrs), Big South and ACC basketball official (10 yrs), and Southern Conference football official (7 years). He joined the ACC football staff in 1992 and worked 3 post-season bowl games before joining the National Football League (NFL) as Back Judge #17 in 1997. During his tenure in the NFL, Bob was awarded the distinction of working the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and 6 playoff games over the next 12 seasons.

Bob was truly devoted to love for his family, service to his community, and excellence in his career. In addition to his parents, Bob is survived by his wife of 35 years, Nanette Bales Lawing; their daughter Ashley L. Beam and son-in-law Matt; his son Wes; 2 grandsons Jackson & Davis Beam and first granddaughter Emma Catherine September 2010; his brother Tommy Jr. and sister-in-law Dianne; his sister Cathy L. Rempson and brother-in-law Tom; 8 nieces, 5 nephews, and numerous cousins and other family & friends.

The family will greet friends at Harry & Bryant Funeral Home, 500 Providence Road, from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Sunday, May 9th. A celebration of Bob’s life will be at 1:00 pm on Monday, May 10th, at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church, 501 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte 28204. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to

“Make The Effort Scholarship”

c/o Carolina Premier Bank

13024 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Suite 100

Charlotte, NC 28277