Month: September 2007

Harry C. Robbins ’50 of Blowing Rock, N.C., died September 30. A native of Blowing Rock, he was a developer, entrepreneur, and leader in tourism promotion in the Blue Ridge Mountains. After service in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II, he returned to North Carolina where he attended Appalachian State Teachers College and Davidson College. In the 1950s his early career included a term as postmaster of Blowing Rock, and manager of the Blowing Rock scenic attraction. In the late 1950s, he assisted his brother Grover Robbins in the creation and operation of Tweetsie Railroad. Following the establishment of North Carolina’s first theme park, Harry and Grover began a new park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., that evolved into Goldrush Junction (a park that eventually became today’s Dollywood). At the same time, the Robbins Brothers began planning and construction of exclusive resort communities in the mountains, beginning with the Hound Ears Club in 1962. Subsequent projects, among many that were created by Harry and Grover in the 1960s and 70s, included the Beech Mountain resort and the Land of Oz theme park; The Reef resort in the Virgin Islands; and Linville Land Harbor. Youngest brother, Spencer Robbins, later joined the duo in many of these ventures. After Grover’s death in 1970, and on through the 1980s, Harry and Spencer continued to create prestigious resort and real estate communities in the mountains, the most notable of which was the Elk River Club in Banner Elk, which featured the state’s first Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. The mountain region will remember him as one of the major visionaries in promoting Northwest North Carolina as a tourist destination, and a major force in bringing year-round economic success to the Appalachians. Throughout his career, he was a tireless promoter of quality tourism promotions to make the Boone-Blowing Rock-Banner Elk region a nation-wide destination. Harry is survived by his wife, Barbara J. Robbins, 300 Tweetsie Railroad Rd., Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605-9787; daughter Wendy; two sons, Christopher B. (Cathy) and Mark B. (Lyndsey); step-son Michael C. Presnell; three sisters, Lena Brooks, Peggy Sellers, and Ruth Botzis; and one brother, Spencer Robbins (Grace). He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, John Kevin Robbins; his parents, Grover C. Robbins, Sr. and Lena Miller Robbins; and one brother, Grover C. Robbins, Jr.

John Gray Hunter ’40, of Greensboro, N.C., died Sept. 26, 2007. Gray was born on June 20, 1918, in Greensboro to the late Hill and Annie Merritt Hunter. He graduated from Woodbury Forest Prep School in Virginia and Davidson, where he played baseball and football. He was also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Medical College. Gray was a member of the American Medical Association. He was an avid fisherman, golfer, and tennis player. Gray was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Hill M. Hunter. His wife, Sara Lyon Hunter, passed away Apr. 23. He is survived by his son, John Gray Hunter, Jr., 1210 Spofford Cir., Apt. 3, Wilmington, NC 28403-2587; daughter, Elizabeth Hunter Cook (Mark); granddaughter, Kathleen Cook ’06; and brother, Bynum Hunter (Bonnie).

Orvin Reese Coppage, Jr. ’64 of Tampa, Fla., died September 21 after suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) for several years. He was born January 14, 1942, in Columbus, Ga., son of the late O.R. (Buster) Coppage and Mary White Coppage. He graduated from Columbus High School, Davidson College, and earned a graduate degree from Georgia State College. From 1966 to 1990, he was chief executive officer of several periodical wholesale distribution agencies and was active in several related trade associations. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Tampa. In the last several years, he became involved with various Community Foundation of Tampa Bay committees and philanthropic endeavors. He is survived by his wife, Martha Ann McConnell Coppage, 1112 Culbreath Isles Dr., Tampa, Fla. 33629; son, Christopher R. Coppage (Evelyn); daughter, Catherine Bingham (David); two grandsons, Caleb Stricklen and Carter Bingham; his brother, James T. Coppage (Janet); and his sister, Lynn Land (A.J.).

Samuel P. Lineberger ’48 died September 19 in Gastonia, N.C. He was a native of Gaston County, and was the son of the late Clarence Pinkney “Pink” and Florence Gertrude Kennett Lineberger. He was a graduate of Davidson College of 1948 and fulfilled his lifelong dream with great success of following his uncle Andrew Gullick as a cotton broker. He started the Sam P. Lineberger Cotton Co., Inc. where he worked for over forty years until his retirement. He was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Belmont, former member of the Belmont Rotary Club, past president of the Cotton Association, the Men’s Golf Association, and the Eagles’ Club of Gastonia. He is survived by his wife of forty-one years, Clenda Lewis Lineberger, 3008 Imperial Dr., Gastonia, N.C. 28052; his son Jeffrey Z. Lineberger (Lynn); his daughter Terry L. Wendt (Robbie); and three grandchildren, Erica Lineberger, Chris Wendt, and Daniel Griffin. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Sue Lineberger Howe Stell, Sarah Lineberger Smith, Harriet Ruth L. Harris, and Betty Jane Lineberger Warren; a brother-in-law, J. Reid Lewis; and best friends, Andy Gullick ’49 and Joe Brown.

Robert E. Barron III ’51 of New Orleans, La., died September 17. He was born in Rock Hill, the son of the late Robert Edwin Barron, Jr. and Gladys Talbert Barron. He was a member of First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill. He was a graduate of Davidson College and the Medical College of South Carolina. His internship was at Montreal General Hospital in Montreal, Canada. His residency in neurology at Charity Hospital, Tulane University, brought him to New Orleans in 1957. He began his practice at Ochsner Clinic in 1961 and later became head of the Department of Neurology. He retired in 1995. While at Ochsner, he taught at Tulane University School of Medicine as clinical professor of neurology. Dr. Barron was known for his interest in music and the arts, particularly for his expertise in the field of Chinese ceramics. His collection of Song Dynasty ceramics, created over a period of forty years, was first exhibited at the New Orleans Museum of Art in 2000. Long a friend and supporter of the museum as a board member and advisor, he contributed about two dozen Song Dynasty pieces to the museum. He is survived by his sister, Louse Barron Barnes (Ed); his brother George T. Barron (Susan); and his nieces and nephews, Susan Barnes Ellis, Frances Barnes Elliott, Edwin L. Barnes, Jr., George T. Barron, Jr., Robert G. Barron, and Louise Barron Reynolds.