Robert Christopher Sayre

Born on May 29, 1949, Robert spent his formative years in the eastern United States. At age 12 he harvested potatoes for 25 cents a barrel in Maine. At ages 14, 15 and 16 he picked shade tobacco in Connecticut. At age 16 he started working for McDonalds and continued for six years as assistant manager, paying his way through college.

He graduated from Chicopee High in Massachusetts and then from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Economics. He later earned his Masters of Business Administration degree from Kent State University.

Robert built a successful career in the highway safety industry as National Sales Manager for two companies. First with Cataphote Corporation for 20 years and next with Epoplex of RPM International the following 20 years. As a member of the American Traffic Safety Services Association, he lobbied in Washington D.C. for highway safety funding.

Beyond his professional life, he had a passion for both golf and flying. He earned his pilot's license at age 27. When he would hear the word "Mooney", his face would light up. He was training for his IFR (instrument rating) in a Mooney before he became ill. Robert enjoyed annual golf trips across the U.S. with his buddies, as well as many company golf tournaments over the years.

Married to Jean Williams in 1987, they enjoyed a happy life together for 19 years. Jean passed in 2006.

In 2012 he married Diane Ward, expanding his family to three adult children and a grandchild. Robert was also a "step-in" father for Jamine Weiss from her high school years and beyond. He was there to walk her down the aisle and for the birth of her first child.

Robert described his life as fulfilling, having had two wonderful wives who supported him in his professional and personal interests and many quality long term relationships. It was his desire to retire to the Smoky Mountains. In 2014 Diane and Bob moved from Clive, IA to make their home in Champion Hills, Hendersonville, NC. In 2019, they resettled in Durham to be close to Duke University Hospital.

Bob was both a quadruple heart bypass and lung transplant survivor, earning the nickname "Superman".

Friends and family remember Bob as a principled man who was kind, generous, and hard-working. He thoroughly enjoyed people and telling entertaining stories.

Surviving is his wife, Diane; step children Tamara Shannon, Elisabeth Rovane and John Rovane; step granddaughter Eve Shannon; the Weiss family, Jamine, Adam, Amani and Leila; brother in laws Edward, Kevin (Lorri) and Keith Anderson.

All are welcome to join us in honoring Bob's memory on Wednesday, October 7, from 4pm to 6pm at Creekside at Bethpage, Hemmingway Hall, 6511 Crown Pkwy, Durham, NC 27703.

In lieu of flowers, Bob's wish was that donations be made to your local Jimmy Carter Habitat for Humanity.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Bob, or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.