Author: Ruth Olson

Posted on

Robert “Bob” R. Isenhour, Jr. ’57

Mr. Robert R. Isenhour, Jr. (Bob) passed peacefully on 25 June 2026 at Rappahannock-Westminster Canterbury in Irvington, Virginia. Bob was born in Burlington, NC on February 5, 1935.

He spent his childhood in Burlington and graduated from Walter M. Williams High School there. After graduation, he attended Davidson College where he graduated with a BA degree majoring in Business Administration.

After college he joined the US Navy where he served as an Intelligence Officer in the Washington, DC area for his four-year tour-of-duty before attending graduate school at Stanford University where he obtained an MBA degree with a concentration in finance.

Bob began his professional career at R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston Salem, NC as a credit manager. He worked at Reynolds for over 20 years and served as a Department Manager until his retirement at age 52.

While living in Winston Salem, Bob met and married Mary Wolff Maddrey (“Wolffe”) and they began what would be a 50 year-plus lifetime together. For many of those years they enjoyed working together as Bob joined Wolffe’s design business, “Interiors by Isenhour”, in Winston Salem after his retirement from Reynolds.

In their later years, Bob and “Wolffe” retired to Emerald Isle, NC to the “Dream Home” they built on the Intracoastal Waterway. They enjoyed living in the Emerald Isle community for almost 30 years. Bob always loved dogs and raised two German Shepards and two Golden Retrievers and actively participated in the local community. Bob was proud of his community service as an Emerald Isle Commissioner, including his lead role in the planning and construction of the new Emerald Isle Community Library.

In 2023, Bob moved from his home in Emerald Isle to the Rappahannock-Westminster Canterbury Retirement Center in Irvington. During his time at RW-C, he enjoyed his final three years living in close proximity to his sister Katherine Isenhour Lantz and sharing family life with her as well as making occasional trips to Bob’s mountain retreat home in Fancy Gap, Virginia.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert R. Isenhour and Willie McKnight Isenhour as well as his beloved wife, Mary W. Isenhour. He is survived by his Sister, Katherine Isenhour Lantz, of Irvington, Virginia.

There is no Irvington area memorial event currently planned. However, there will be a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord, NC at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax-deductible donation (by check) to one of the following charitable organizations, or to an animal welfare organization of your choice:

• Animal Welfare League of Northern Neck. Inc.

P. O Box 975; White Stone, VA 22578.

(AWL Tax ID is 54-1106959)

• Northern Neck Partners for Pets

P.O. Box 361, Irvington, VA 22480.

(Partners for Pets Tax ID is 46-4025767)

Posted on

John Davidson Hall ’64

John Davidson Hall, affectionately known as Jack, passed away on June 23, 2026, in Houston, Texas. He is remembered with profound love and respect by his family, friends, colleagues, and all those who had the good fortune to know him.

Jack was a man of learning, curiosity, and dedication. He was born into the loving care of George Avery Hall and Louise Fortune Hall of Damascus, both of whom have preceded him in death. He is also predeceased by his sister Marilou Hall Preston. Jack’s enduring presence will be especially missed by his surviving sister, Eleanor Hall Hutton, and his brother-in-law, Bob Preston, who together cherished the deep familial bonds they shared.

Education was a defining force in Jack’s life, and he embraced every opportunity with remarkable vigor. Jack graduated from Damascus High School the same year that he completed his first year of studies at Emory & Henry College, a testament to his drive and intellect. With a continual thirst for knowledge, he graduated from Davidson College in 1964, being honored as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society. Jack went on to further distinguish himself academically, earning three master’s degrees from Princeton, specializing in foreign language and linguistics. His commitment to scholarship was matched only by his passion for sharing it with others.

Jack devoted his professional life to education and service. He taught at the University of Virginia and in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, imparting knowledge, wisdom, and a love of learning to countless students. For over thirty years, he served the University of Houston Library, where his unwavering commitment left a lasting imprint on both colleagues and the institution itself. His brilliant mind brightened any classroom, lecture, or gathering, fostering an environment where curiosity and understanding could flourish.

Jack’s gifts extended well beyond his academic achievements. He was known for his jovial spirit and wonderful sense of humor. Quick to laughter, and always ready with a warm remark or thoughtful perspective, Jack had the rare ability to fit into any group—he truly had friends everywhere. His sense of adventure was infectious, as he spent an entire summer exploring Russia and lived for two years in Germany. Jack approached life with resolve and purpose, knowing exactly what he wanted to do and never shying away from pursuing his ambitions.

Though he has left us, the memory of John Davidson Hall—Jack to so many—remains an enduring source of comfort and inspiration. His legacy lives on in the minds he challenged, the hearts he touched, and the friendships that will persevere across time and distance. Jack will be dearly missed, but his spirit will continue to light the way for all who knew him.

Posted on

Robert William Morrison, Jr. ’60

Robert William Morrison, Jr. died June 23, 2026 at the age of 87. He was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. Bob and his parents attended Washington Street Methodist Church. It was in the church’s infant nursery where he unknowingly met the love of his life, Dicky McCants. Bob and Dicky returned to Washington Street to be married in 1961 and were blessed with 49 years of marriage.

Bob attended Dreher High school in Columbia and played the clarinet in the marching band. He graduated from Davidson College in 1960 having received his degree in Chemistry. After Davidson, he attended graduate school at Princeton University where he earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry.

Bob and Dicky moved to Raleigh in 1964 where he began his first job at Chemstrand Research Center, Inc. (Monsanto). In 1968, he served as Visiting Faculty in the Department of Chemistry at North Carolina State University. While continuing to teach the evening course in organic chemistry at NC State, Bob joined Burroughs Wellcome Co. in 1969. He initially held the role of “Burroughs Welcome South” before the organization moved to the Research Triangle Park. Bob spent 26 years in research at Burroughs Wellcome where he became Director of the Division of Organic Chemistry. He later assumed the international role of Vice President of Bioanalytical Sciences with staff, laboratories and residences in the Research Triangle and in Beckenham, Kent (U.K.).

After retirement from Burroughs Wellcome in 1995, he returned to NC State to serve for the next eight years in several administrative roles for the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. During these later years at NC State, Bob derived much pleasure from nurturing and counseling students about life in the real world of science, business, and their career choices. One student put it this way, “You have aided me and many students before me, leveling our heads and preparing us for the big world beyond. The ivory tower can be difficult to leap from, but you have built a slide that we can use to land softly.”

Outside of his professional life, Bob was always finding things to nurture – whether a melody on his piano, a friendship, or a flower in his garden. His career, although accomplished, was only a small portion of what defined him.

Bob was an active member of Hayes Barton United Methodist Church. As Lay Leader he served on the finance committee and the church council. He was a member of the choir and the handbell choir. He participated in mission trips to Chile (1979), Haiti, and Zambia (both in 1997).

Music was a lifelong passion, and he found deep happiness in playing the piano as well as attending opera and symphony performances. His love for the arts extended into service, including leadership roles on the Board of Directors for the Opera Company of North Carolina (Chairman), North Carolina Opera, and the North Carolina Master Chorale. He was also a dedicated attendee of the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great‑grandfather, and he created a home where family was central. He was there for milestones, celebrations, and the quiet moments in between. He found joy in the everyday – tending to his roses, working out in the gym with his trainers, or delving into a good mystery novel. World travel highlighted Dicky and Bob’s life together and Bob continued this love with many cruises in his later years.

He was predeceased by his parents, Robert W. Morrison, Sr. and Marguerite Lewis Morrison and by his wife, Annie Dick (Dicky) McCants Morrison. He is survived by daughters Ann Nelson (Bill) of Raleigh and Trina Holt (Michael) of Burlington and also his grandchildren Brad Nelson (Andrew) of Wake Forest, Robert Nelson (Allie) of Raleigh, Emma Maggi (Phil) of Burlington and Mandy Rosenblum (Justin) of Charlotte. His great-grandchildren are Bella and Mikey Maggi of Burlington.

A memorial service will be held at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church on July 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends after the service. Suggested memorials include the Bob and Dicky Morrison Undergraduate Scholarship in Chemical Sciences Endowment (c/o NC State University College of Sciences Foundation, Campus Box 8118, Raleigh, NC 27695) or The Morrison Endowment for Special Music at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church (2209 Fairview Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608-2240).

The family would like to express their great appreciation to the loving and caring staff at the Cypress of Raleigh’s Rosewood Health Center. Additional thanks is extended to Liberty Hospice.

Posted on

Morris M. Ewing Jr. ’90

Morris M. Ewing, Jr. passed away in Dallas, Texas on June 19, 2026, at the age of 58.

Born on May 27, 1968, in Atlanta, Georgia. Morris was the son of Nancy O. Ewing and Morris M. Ewing, Sr. He attended The Lovett School, graduating in 1986, earned a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College, and received a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Georgia. He began his career with Peat Marwick, where he earned his CPA designation, later worked in real estate development in Russia and Atlanta, partnered with his father and brother Andrew in a development firm, and concluded his career with CBRE.

More than his professional accomplishments, Morris will be remembered for his generous heart. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend who always put others first, asking about your day before speaking of his own. Dependable and hardworking, he never considered a job finished until it was done and was a steady source of support for family, friends, and even strangers.

Morris is survived by his father, Morris M. Ewing, Sr.; his sisters, Jenny O’Brien (Terre) and Wendy Belford (Matt); his brother, Andrew Ewing; his niece, Elle O’Brien; and his nephews, Jackson Belford and Casey O’Brien. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Nancy O. Ewing. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to HandsOnAtlanta.org or TheTrevorProject.org.