Robert Bean

Robert Franklin Bean CHARLOTTE - Robert Franklin Bean of Charlotte, NC passed away on Monday, January 13, 2014, at Carrington Place. He was born in Lexington, North Carolina on September 23, 1926 to the late Ola Beatrice Harris Bean and Phonse Bean. Bob joined the United States Navy in 1944, served in the Mediterranean theatre, assigned to a Destroyer Escort ship for two years. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Bob moved to Charlotte from Greensboro, NC, where he was an announcer for WBIG, a Jefferson-Pilot Life owned broadcast facility. Continuing with the same profession, Bob joined the Jefferson-Pilot stations WBT/WBTV in June of 1950, where, among other duties, was a newscaster on WBT radio and WBTV weeknights until early 1968. He then changed his career to life insurance sales with Jefferson Standard Life where he was top sales leader for the company for several years. In 1982, he became a representative for Minnesota Life, opening his own agency - Insurance Concepts before retiring in 2004. Bob was a charter member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church, formed in September, 1968, where he served on the board of several committees of the church. Bob loved traveling and led tour groups for Travel Tours, Inc. throughout the world. Other hobbies included golf and announcing for the Charlotte Checkers ice hockey games. Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Vonda Richards Bean; two daughters, Linda Bean Dunn and husband, Richard and Pam Bean Misle and husband, Ed; five grandchildren, Ryan Orr, Katherine Misle, Graydon Dunn, Harrison Dunn, Allison Misle; one great-granddaughter, Brennan Orr; brother, William Claris Bean of New London, NC and a sister, Mary Ann Bean Ansell, and her husband, Ralph of Matthews, NC. The family would like to thank the devoted caregivers at Summit Place of Southpark and Carrington Place. A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Stephen United Methodist Church with the Reverend C. Thomas Latimer officiating. Following the service, visitation will be held in the Youth Ministry Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to St. Stephen United Methodist Church Building Fund, 6800 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270. Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service; please share condolences online at www.hankinswhittington.com.