Robert "Bob" Usry

1953 - 2022

Robert "Bob" Usry
July 9, 1953 - December 16, 2022
Raleigh, North Carolina - "Well done, good and faithful servant"
Robert "Bob" Usry, 69, of Raleigh passed away December 16, 2022. He is survived by his wife Shirley Hyatt Usry, daughter Kaye Candler Usry and partner Matthew Carter, son Sidney Joseph Usry, wife Amy Maule, grandson Beau Usry, and his sister Martha Usry Crampton and her husband Greg. His parents were Mary Fultz Usry and Sidney Harmon Usry.
Bob was a proud Raleigh native. As a boy, he rode his bike all over the city and delivered The Raleigh Times. On Sundays, he worshipped at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. And in the summers he went to Camp Cheerio as a camper and counselor. He attended Olds Elementary, Martin Middle, and Broughton High, where his class was among the first to be racially integrated. He witnessed the city's rapid growth and loved to regale newcomers with his knowledge of Raleigh history. Even his voice was marked by the city-so much so that a linguist included his speech in a study of the Raleigh dialect.
At NC State, he earned a B.S. in Agribusiness and Economics. He also took on the nickname "Bob," much to the surprise of his family-who will always call him Robert. In his first professional job he was a 4-H Agent in Lenoir County. At first, to the rural youth and farmers he was tasked with reaching, Bob was a bit of a puzzle. A city kid, in a white Honda Civic-what could he possibly know about their lives? He was kind, warm, and open-minded and he won them over.
Inspired by his time as a 4-H agent, Bob returned to NC State for graduate work and became an Extension Specialist and Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. As an intern at the Buncombe County Extension office, he had impressed Bob Hyatt, who would later introduce him to his little sis Shirley when she was also a new Extension Specialist-they fell in love and married in 1980.
His accomplishments from 33 years of teaching and extension work are numerous. Most notably, he mentored a winning student team at the National Agri-Marketing Association competition, served as president of his professional organizations, and was named an Outstanding Teacher by the University. His greatest impact won't fit on a resume-he made lifelong connections with his students and many of them credit their successes to his quiet, gentle encouragement and support.
Regardless of the task-unsticking zippers, pumping up bike tires, troubleshooting computer, electrical, and plumbing issues-Bob never hesitated to lend a helping hand. Neighbors saw him be the first to welcome newcomers and to befriend their children and pets. Young at heart, he would jump spontaneously into a pile of leaves to get a smile out of a neighbor's child. On election days, he enjoyed being a precinct judge, impressing the other poll workers with how he seemed to know everyone passing through to vote. At his church, he served faithfully in many roles, from shuttle driver to teacher to elder.
In retirement, he became involved with Filling in Gaps (FIGS), a local nonprofit organization that helps vulnerable populations get access to prescription drugs and supplies, serving as president during the first two years of the pandemic. He and Shirley traveled to places they found intriguing, but they didn't get to all the places on their list.
Bob's contact list was long and deep. An avid reader, he loved to email and discuss articles or books with persons whom he knew would have a common interest. His emails were fondly referred to as "Bob's clipping service." Those who knew him well will greatly miss those emails, as well as his penchant for pimento cheese sandwiches, Mountain Dew, and a cold beer.
When asked to choose one word to describe Bob, many words were needed: loving, kind, patient, and loyal. He was a devoted son to his mother Mary, beloved brother to Martha and her husband Greg Crampton, and a fun uncle to Beth Purdy, Louisa Fisher, and Anna Scott. Even Shirley's mountain brothers came to appreciate Bob, despite his city ways.
An exemplary father to Sid and Kaye, Bob was a not-at-all embarrassing chaperone on school and band trips and a conscientious Indian guide as they earned patches for their adventures. Sid and Kaye are thankful for everything he taught them, including how to ignite a potato gun (with hairspray), balance a budget (with a spreadsheet), organize cables and wires (with labeled zip ties), and most importantly, how to care for other people and do it well. He warmly welcomed Sid's wife Amy and Kaye's partner Matthew Carter into the family. Sid's son Beau, born in 2020, was his latest joy. In his two children and Beau, the best parts of Bob live on.
A memorial service and reception to follow will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. The service will be live streamed via www.whitememorial.org. The family requests you wear something red, in his honor.
Memorial donations may be made to FIGS of Wake County, P.O. Box 12821, Raleigh 27605, White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh 27608, or the Agribusiness Club Scholarship Honoring Bob Usry, Campus Box 7645 NC State University, Raleigh 27695.
Services by Brown-Wynne, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.