Robert Alfred Hedrick

Judge Robert Alfred Hedrick, age 86, of Raleigh died suddenly in his home Saturday July 18, 2009. He was born in Iredell County, NC on August 23, 1922 to Horace Edwin and Sarah Morrow Hedrick. From birth he was called “Fred” by family and friends. Judge Hedrick is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Patricia Owen Hedrick; his children: Jeffery Miles Hedrick and his wife Peggy Hedrick of Banner Elk, Martha Jean Hedrick McCarthy and her husband Dr. Francis McCarthy of Edenton, Joanna Rose Hedrick of Siler City, and John Alfred Hedrick and his wife, Tammy Combs Hedrick of Raleigh and seven grandchildren: Rachael, Jamie, Emma, Abby, Jacquelyn, Olivia, and Makenzie. He was preceded in death by his sister Clara Thomas and his brothers Philip, Paul, Harold, Jim, and Brown. Judge Hedrick attended the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh after losing his sight in 1936. He graduated from that school in 1943 and, in the fall of that year, entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1946. He then entered UNC’s law school, completing his three-year law course in 2 ½ years, graduating in 1949. While maintaining a civil law practice, he also served as prosecutor in Iredell County from 1950 to 1958. He was judge of Recorder’s Court in Statesville from 1958 until 1969 when he was appointed by Governor Bob Scott to the N.C. Court of Appeals. Fred remained on the court until his retirement on January 1, 1993. He held the position of Chief Judge of the Court between 1985 and 1993. Judge Hedrick had varied interests other than law. He was a licensed amateur radio operator. With a partner, he built and operated the Riverboat Robert E. Lee, a tourist attraction and charter boat operating on Lake Norman in the 1960's. He was a deacon in Concord Presbyterian Church in Statesville, NC as well as a elder in Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC. He had a fine baritone singing voice, and was often asked to sing in community musicals, church services, and at funerals and weddings in Iredell County and beyond. He sang so frequently at such functions that Superior Court Judge John McLaughlin declared, “If Fred Hedrick didn’t sing at your wedding, you’re living in sin.” Judge Hedrick was an avid fisherman, both surf and deep sea, and was very knowledgeable about the waters out from Southport, NC to the gulf stream, so knowledgeable that his wife, Pat, confidently allowed him to be her navigator while she piloted their boat. Most importantly, Fred was a devoted husband to his wife, Pat, a wonderful father to his four children and an adoring grandfather of his eight grandchildren. Funeral service will be held 1:30 pm Wednesday at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow the service. Memorials may be sent to Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 4921 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 or North Raleigh Ministries, P.O. Box 19121, Raleigh, NC 27619-9121. Condolences may be sent to www.brownwynne.com