Robert Ledford Alphin

Born in 1937 to Rob and Grace Alphin in Raleigh, NC, he spent his boyhood working his paper route and exploring the neighborhood with his cocker spaniel, Benjy.

He met the love of his life, Stephany ("Step"), while they were at Wake Forest University. Bob, an avid tennis player, popped the question on the courts. They spent the next 62 years living one of the world's great love stories, holding hands and screaming "Go Deacs!"

In 1960, after serving in the Air Force, Bob joined Wachovia Bank. As a proud Wachovian for 40 years, Bob's keen eye and straight-shooting approach earned him the nickname, "Bottomline."

Bob was a man of empathy and generosity.He envisioned and created the Alphin Family Center for Diabetic Family Support at Camp Hanes. Every holiday, he cooked up countless boxes of peanut brittle from his father's recipe, with proceeds to the YMCA. He tutored prisoners, helping them learn to read. He put others before himself. When you were with him, his first question was often, "How can I help?"

A star athlete, music lover, fisherman, world traveler, armchair philosopher, architect, beach bum, oyster slurper and banjo plunker. He had a penchant for funky art and played a mean game of ping pong. Bob, a quintessential son of North Carolina, had extensive knowledge of backroad BBQ joints. He braked for hot dogs and banana puddin'. He was on a first-name basis with migrating hummingbirds and enjoyed sipping wine while communing with pelicans flying past his balcony at Wrightsville Beach.

He is survived by his wife, Stephany; sons Jeff and Kent and their wives Jane and Tracy, his sister Patricia and her family. We will miss Big Bob and his big smile.

A celebration of life is in the works.

If you'd like to pay Bob's legacy forward, consider donating to YMCA Camp Hanes.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, is serving the Alphin family.