Robert Richard Fair

Robert Richard Fair, 92, of Charlottesville, passed away on February 9, 2018 at Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge. He was born on October 21, 1925, in Tonganoxie, Kansas, to James Rutherford and Georgie Case Fair, and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and Newberry, South Carolina. A member of the “Greatest Generation,” he served honorably in the Second World War, receiving his Combat Infantry Badge, a Purple Heart for wounds received in the Alsace region of France, and two Bronze Stars.

Robert graduated from the University of Virginia in 1950, where he was President of Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi, member of the Raven Society, Tau Beta Pi engineering society, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Vice-President of the senior class. He received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1952. He worked for Westinghouse in western Pennsylvania and in 1964 returned to Charlottesville to direct Management Programs at the Darden School. While at UVA, he served as president of the Colonnade Club, faculty advisor to the Psi Chapter and Associate Dean for MBA Education at the Darden School. He retired in 1996. After his retirement, he served as President of the 100th Division Infantry Association, President of the Retired Faculty Association, served on the Psi Chapter House Corporation, and was proudest to receive the Order of Constantine from Sigma Chi, awarded to alumni members who have devoted long and distinguished service to the Fraternity.

He enthusiastically supported the Cavaliers in football and basketball to the end of his life, watching his last Wahoo basketball game on February 3, 2018.

Robert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Camilla Starr Fair, his daughter and son-in-law, Ann Rutherford Burns and Richard Burns, his son and son-in-law, Robert Drayton Fair and Ron Spaziano, granddaughters Caroline Salzman and Robin Burns, grandson-in-law Christopher Salzman and great-grandson Richard Salzman. He was predeceased by two children, Mary Butler Fair and William Young Fair.

A memorial service will be held later in the Spring. Memorial donations may be made to the Darden School Foundation at the University of Virginia, Westminster Presbyterian Church, or the Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge Foundation. Teague Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.