Robert Eugene Dillow, Jr

Robert Eugene “Rob” Dillow, Jr., 71, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022, after a months-long battle with illness.

Born October 27, 1951, in Washington, North Carolina, he was an “Eastern North Carolina Boy,” spending the majority of his childhood years in Jacksonville, North Carolina. An only child, he was preceded in death by his parents, Robert E. “Bob” Dillow, of Jacksonville, and Nancy Claire Everett Dillow, of Jacksonville, and later, Wilmington. Rob’s father, Bob, served in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed primarily at Camp Lejeune. His mother, Nancy, served the Marine Corps in Civil Service. Bob was stationed briefly in Birmingham, Alabama, and then at the Pentagon. After retiring from the Marines, the family moved back to Jacksonville, where they bought and ran a Tastee-Freez franchise for many years. Working along with his parents in that business through his high school years, Rob learned valuable people and burger-making skills.

Rob was graduated from Swansboro High School in June 1970. During high school and the months thereafter, he took flight training, earning his Private Pilot Certificate in August 1970, and thereafter attaining his Commercial Pilot Certificate. After attending college at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, he transferred to and was graduated from the University of North Carolina Charlotte in May 1974. Returning home to Jacksonville for few years, he entered law school at Campbell University, earning his Juris Doctorate May 1980.

After graduating law school, Rob was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar and sworn to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He practiced criminal law in Craven and Pitt Counties, serving as a defense attorney and later as a prosecutor, ultimately serving as Special Drug Prosecutor for the Third Judicial District. Thereafter, he started a private criminal defense practice in Greenville, North Carolina. After moving to Wilmington in 1998, he practiced solo until joining in practice with his future wife, Mary Margaret McEachern, whom he married on January 27, 2007. The Dillows retired from practice in 2013.

Rob’s intelligence and quick wit endeared him to everyone who had the good fortune to know him. His bright smile and gregarious personality will be forever etched on the hearts of those who loved him. He and Mary Margaret were the best of friends. They cherished their 22-year love affair. They did everything together. Blessed with the good fortune to be able to retire early, they lived life to the max. They derived much joy from little road trips to their second home in Linville, North Carolina, spending many Christmases and summer retreats there. Sharing an intense passion for the water, Rob and Mary Margaret cruised the Intracoastal Waterway to places like Charleston and Hilton Head Island on their cruiser, Curlz. They water skied and explored, and even cruised to Charleston, on their smaller boat, Little One. They enjoyed kayaking together. Rob was Mary Margaret’s support system and biggest fan for her running and paddling races, which formed the basis of many delightful little trips to New Bern, Morehead City and Beaufort, the Outer Banks, Myrtle Beach, and numerous others. Rob and Mary Margaret each harbored a lifelong love of antique cars, which they began collecting, driving, and showing not long after they retired. They loved playing golf together and enjoyed playing in charity tournaments with their friends. They bought their current home in 2016, with an eye toward entertaining, which was probably Rob’s greatest passion. The couple’s trips to Key West inspired the design for their home, where they added a Tiki Bar and a “toy box” to keep guests busy. Rob surprised Mary Margaret with a discovery flight with a local flight school. After Mary Margaret earned her Private Pilot Certificate in May 2020, they purchased their beloved airplane, affectionately called “Lady Bug,” in which they had planned to tour the country at sightseeing altitudes. An accomplished decorator with exquisite tastes, Rob redesigned the airplane’s interior and had her lovingly restored during the months preceding the illness that stole him from all who adored him. This passion for flying and learning never waned, even during Rob’s illness. He encouraged Mary Margaret to continue flying, and she loved sharing tales of her flights with him. Rob enjoyed reading about flying, writing about flying, and watching television shows about flying. He had an incredible family of flying friends who stepped in during his illness and helped, along with his beloved family, all they could.

While not blessed with children, Rob adored the couple’s feline fur babies, “Aggie,” “Buddy Fuzz,” and “Eightball.” These cherished pets brought entertainment and comfort to the couple over the years. Rob was blessed with an incredible network of loyal friends; he adored and was cherished by his vast extended family -- aunts, uncles, and cousins from all over. He absolutely relished when family members would “flap in” for a brief visit, or to stay for a spell. They came for holidays, and piled in for the annual family “Boat Bash,” which Rob and Mary Margaret hosted each July. Rob was a wonderful cook, loved entertaining, and jumped at every opportunity to host family and friends.

These times were wonderful. Rob’s fun-loving personality and spirit for adventure brought out the best in everyone he met. He completed Mary Margaret and brought such joy to her life. They would often laugh about how they were just “terrible influences” on one another because neither could ever say “no” to the other. He often exclaimed, “In our house, every day is Christmas!”

Rob loved his Lord. He was a devoted member of the Lutheran community, and also enjoyed summer Episcopal services at Lebanon Chapel, close to the couple’s home off Airlie Road.

Rob is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret. He was her “Teddy Bear,” and she is devastated beyond words. His beloved cousins and friends, who will remain close to him through Mary Margaret and through cherished memories, are also devastated. His passing has left an unfillable hole; he is and forever will be sorely missed. Our hearts are breaking.

A memorial celebration, per Rob’s wishes, will be held at a later date during warmer months, as he was not particularly fond of chilly weather and short days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), the AOPA Foundation foundation.aopa.org; 

https://livelikemadison.org/ ; the EAA Chapter 297 Young Eagles Program (c/o Bob McGowan, EAA 297, 115 Aviator Lane, Burgaw, NC 28405);

or the Wilmington Int’l Airport Aviation Scholarship & Endowment Fund (1740 Airport Blvd, Ste 12, Wilmington, NC 28401, Attn: Bob Campbell).

Memories and condolences are welcome and may be shared with family and friends at www.andrewsmortuary.com.