Robert “Bob” Erwin, 94, of Morganton, NC, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025. He was born on July 19, 1930, in Catawba County to the late Robert Erwin and Elizabeth Abernathy Erwin. Bob graduated in 1952 from Davidson College. Bob was a veteran of the United States Army. After he was discharged from the Army, he worked for Commercial Credit for one year and then joined his father-in-law’s poultry business. Shortly after joining the business, Bob became President of B and L Feed, which made the feed and grew the chickens for Breeden poultry to process. Bob served as President and board member of several state and national feed and poultry organizations. In August, 2001, Bob was inducted into the North Carolina Poultry Hall of Fame.
Bob served in the local Methodist church in leadership positions for many decades. He served on the building team that went to Mexico to help build a small church. He also served as a trustee of the Methodist’s Children Home and was on the board of Givens Estate Methodist Retirement Home. Bob served as an officer and board member of Grace Hospital in Morganton as well as the History Museum of Burke County. Bob received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Davidson College. Bob enjoyed fly fishing, tennis, skiing, hiking in the mountains and travel. He also enjoyed reading history.
On June 6, 1954, Bob and Sis Breeden were married at the First United Methodist Church in Morganton. In 1988, B and L Feed and related businesses were sold to Case Farms. Bob continued to work as a consultant for Case Farms. Since 1988, Bob was able to fulfill a lifelong ambition to travel extensively. Bob took many trips to interesting places around the world with Sis and later with Alice. In May 1999, a dream came true and Bob had the opportunity of hiking and camping in the area around Mt. Everest.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Sara Breeden “Sis” Erwin; son, Charles B. Erwin, Sr.; grandson, Charles B. “Chaz” Erwin, Jr.; brother, David Erwin; sister; Martha Erwin Fox.
Bob is survived by his wife, Alice Glisson Sasser-Erwin; son, John R. Erwin (Judy); grandchildren, Caitlyn Erwin, Jennifer Erwin, Cecelia Erwin, Robert David Erwin and Sara Anne Erwin; great-grandchildren, Chloe Charlie Erwin and Aries Trimble; daughter-in-law, Dabney Erwin (Judge Mark Klass); step-daughter, Cindi Nicholson (Stuart); stepgrandchildren, Kristen Brevoort (Brett), Liam Brevoort, Henry Brevoort, and Jack Brevoort; brother, Sam Erwin (Barbara): nephew, Mathew Erwin (Beverly); niece, Anna Erwin (Micah).
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Sossoman Funeral Home. The memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Hester officiating. The family will have a private inurnment.