Dr. Robert Benjamin Ferguson
September 4, 1935 - February 16, 2021
Charlotte, North Carolina - Dr. Robert Benjamin Ferguson died Tuesday, February 16, at home, surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Charlotte, Bobby was the younger son of Edna and George Ferguson. He attended Myers Park High School before being drafted into the Army. After his time in the service, Bobby came home and attended Wingate College, a two-year school at the time. He went on to the University of Georgia where he graduated from the Grady College of Journalism.
During his time at Wingate, he started a doo-wop group called "The Gates". These life-long friends released 2 records and traveled with the Dick Clark Teen show. They were popular on the local scene, in the Carolinas and Georgia, and played many events. Bobby always said he took a pay cut when he left UGA.
Bobby had a passion for life. We all knew him as one of the most successful people ever as he loved going to work as a teacher. Sky diving, snow skiing and life on the Grand Strand filled his life when not in the classroom. Just a few of his accolades include Outstanding Educator of America, founder of Charlotte Skydivers, living through over 3000 jumps, Commercial Hot Air balloon pilot, and being inducted into the Shaggers Hall of Fame.
Bobby earned his Master Degree from UNC Chapel Hill. He taught in Charlotte Mecklenburg public schools followed by a 34-year tenure at Wingate University. He earned his PHD from Carnegie Mellon University. Bobby loved telling his professors to go easy on him as he was attending CMU on an affirmative action program as a "poor, white, ignorant, southerner".
Bobby married his "child bride" whom he affectionately called "Ferg". Their adventures together were many and the "stories" grew with time. What a storyteller he was! One of the most enjoyed by friends was the story of his landing of a hot air balloon in the prison yard. The prisoners were begging for a ride and the guards were drawing their guns.
Bobby loved spending time at his lake house surrounded by children, grandchildren, friends, and many loved dogs. Riding the wave runner with his dog Stormy, always caused a stir on the shores. He loved sitting on the screened porch and listening to the jukebox.
His final days were spent on the front porch of a house built on the site of Bobby's childhood home.
Bobby is predeceased by his parents, and a beloved cousin and best friend, Tod Smith. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his favorite (only) brother; George W. Ferguson; his "Baby Boys" Tod and Scott (Terri); his daughters, "Baby Girl" Patricia (Don) Buckner and "Number One Daughter" Katherine (David) Slagel; his grandchildren, Abigail, Andrew, and Joseph Buckner, Elizabeth Slagel, Emily Slagel Oh (Hyun Jai), and Rachel Ferguson.
Unending gratitude is expressed to Dr. Charles Edwards and his staff, to Dickie his best gym buddy, to Allen who picked him up to have a beer and hang out with his skydiving buddies.
A funeral will take place at St. Peter's Episcopal Church Saturday, February 27 at 2:00 PM, officiated by The Rev. Jacob Pierce. The service will be private, but a livestream link will be available on St. Peter's website, www.st-peters.org.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Memory and Movement Center, 300 Billingsley Road, Charlotte NC 28211; St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 115 W. 7th Street, Charlotte NC 28202; or Hospice and Palliative Care - Charlotte Region, 7845 Little Avenue, Charlotte NC 28226.

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Published by Charlotte Observer on Feb. 21, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Ferguson

4 Entries

Michael S Craig

February 27, 2021

Mr. Ferguson was the 9th grade civics teacher at Spaugh Jr. High in Charlotte in 1966 where both my future wife Kathy James and I were very lucky to be in his class. I remember lots of after class discussions about sky diving with him. He was very young compared to most of the teachers and seemed so "cool". Sad to hear that he has left us but very happy to read about his awesome life since we got to know him for brief time in the classroom.
Mike & Kathy Craig

Bill McKinnell

February 22, 2021

Bobby and I go back to the early 1950's first as classmates at MPHS then as friends for the next 70 years. Bobby, Tod Smith and Bill Lippard were like the 3 musketeers, when you saw one it was a sure bet the other 2 were close around. I cherish the many days and night we were all together at Hardeeville, especially at night bending an elbow. Any time you were around Bobby there was plenty of laughter and maybe a few exaggerated stories every now and then. Thoughts and prayers to Phyllis and the family.

nancy mangum

February 21, 2021

I remember Bobby singing "Cry" and sounding just like Johnny Ray as a teenager! We were friends during our teenage years - hanging out with a crowd that was referred to as the "drugstore cowboys." We would all meet at the square after school and visit in the drugstore over a glass of coca-cola or hang out front to see who would show up! What fun we had as kids, Bobby was always a lot of fun and always a gentleman. You made the world a better place! R.I.P. my sweet friend. xxoo

MAURICE Thomas

February 21, 2021

Never has an obituary more accurately captured a man than that of Phyllis' for her husband Robert ("Bobby" to me.) He truly enjoyed his life and shared it easily. We spent too many years on third floor Burris at Wingate laughing at the absurdities of academia, mulling dictates from higher up, and analyzing the minds of freshmen, but still managing to enjoy teaching. I can still smell the flavor of his Dr. Grabow pipe wafting up the "tobacco free" hall in the late afternoon. Great memories. My love to all who loved and miss him.

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