Robert Neal Fine Jr.

R. Neal Fine Jr. of Greensboro passed away Saturday, May 16, 2026. He was born July 21, 1945, in Burlington, NC to the late Robert Neal Fine, Sr. and Irene Simpson Fine and was the grandson of the late William Sanford and Bertha Sutton Simpson and the late Clifton Robert and Nina Mae Neal Fine of Merced, CA. He served honorably in the US Navy for four years in Hawaii, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Neal was educated at Elon College and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he received a BFA in Interior Design in 1973. He was awarded the Spencer Love Scholarship for outstanding achievements in the arts. Neal served as CEO and owner of R. Neal Fine & Associates, Inc., in Winston-Salem, NC for forty years. After passing the NCIDQ in 1976, he was a professional member of ASID, where he served on the board of directors, as Head of the Scholarship Committee and Design Liaison for a Medical Guild ASID Showhouse. Neal taught a design course for the Arts Council and spoke on design for the High Point Furniture Market. His articles and work were published in magazines and newspapers both locally and nationally. Neal also served on the board of the American Cancer Society.

All his thoughts, prayers, and aspirations centered on his loyalty to God, encouragement for his family and pets, and devotion to bringing beauty and quality to all the lives he touched. “Good design is less prevailing than bad design….it strengthens our love and appreciation for the greatness of form.”

He is survived by his husband, John R. Hildebrand, Jr., two stepdaughters, Elizabeth H. Strasser and husband Joe and Mary Claire Corron and husband Devin, brother Dr. Kevin Sanford Fine and wife Sylvia, step grandchildren Tyler, Madison “Maddie”, and Grant Strasser, beloved nephew Liam Robert Fine, three step nieces, Cynthia, Charlotte, and Lorraine all of Yverdon, Switzerland, and his loving pet, Lolly Madison.

A service to celebrate Neal’s life will be at 11 AM, Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel, 515 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. Following the service, Neal will be interred in the family plot at Pine Hill Cemetery, 1205 S. Main Street, Burlington, NC 27215. The family will receive guests from 6 to 8 PM, Friday, May 22, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Winston-Salem Foundation (FINE ENDOWMENT) for the Humane Society (Friends in need endowment), 751 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or the charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.