Robert Kendall Hedrick

Robert Kendall Hedrick - KI4TTX

November 24, 1960 - October 6, 2013

Oak Island

Robert was born in White Plains, New York on November 24, 1960, the son of John Elliott and Jane Kendall Elliott. He was adopted by Dr. William W. Hedrick in 1964 after his marriage to Robert's mother. He grew up in Oak Forest outside of Raleigh, in the brick house on Louisburg Highway, and at The Horseshoe Farm, where he gave legendary parties. Robert attended church at First Presbyterian in Raleigh and New Hope Baptist. He loved to hear organ music played. He attended Wake County Public Schools and graduated from Millbrook High School. Robert always loved trucks and was very proud to be chosen to be a school bus driver while still in high school. As a teenager he worked at Seth Jones 1847 Restaurant. He briefly attended NC State University. He was married to Margaret Anne Kelly and they had one son Robert Allen Hedrick.

As a small child he loved to visit Topsail Beach with his grandmother Gena Hedrick, and he fell in love with the ocean and the "Buddy's Pirate". Robert followed his love of boats by joining the U.S. Coast Guard stationed on North Carolina's Outer Banks where he had a distinguished career on the "Point Brown" traveling from the North Carolina coast to South America. He lived his adult life on the North Carolina coast working in the trucking industry. He was an avid ham radio operator. He died suddenly at his home on Oak Island on October 6, 2013.

Robert is survived by his son Robert Allen, his wife Brandie and their two sons Carter and Gavin, his mother Jane Kendall Beam Houck and her husband John, his brother Peter Hedrick and his daughter Shelby, his brother Ben Hedrick and his wife Laura Ortiz, his sister Katherine Hedrick, Dr. William W. Hedrick and his wife Merrie, and their children William Hedrick, his wife Jessica, their children, Taylor, Caroline, and Weston, Matthew Hedrick, Sallie Hedrick Bowman and her husband Nicholas Bowman and their daughter Annabelle, and Jonathan Hedrick. He is also missed by his faithful companion beagle "Chief".

Robert had a good life with many friends. He had a heart of gold and will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial service was held on the beach at Topsail Island near the home where he played as a child. Dr. Jane Hedrick Walter, Robert's aunt, graciously officiated his service. His ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean that he loved. He was remembered at a celebration picnic where all his friends and family ate fried chicken and barbecue. Stories about Robert were told and his friends and family laughed and cried. This Easter Morning Robert's family remembers him with love.