Robert Phay

1938 - 2026

Robert Edmond Phay, devoted husband, father, educator, adventurer, and lifelong public servant, passed away on February 10, 2026, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He was born on November 6, 1938, in Sebring, Florida, to Roberta Howie Phay and John Elon Phay, and is survived by three younger siblings, Johanna Woodchild of Charlottesville, VA, Andrew Phay of Murfreesboro, TN and Rebecca Potts of Jackson, MS.



Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jean McGovran Phay, who was his steadfast partner in every chapter of his rich and adventurous life. Robert often expressed his great love, admiration and gratitude for "Jeanie," who he credited for supporting and enabling his professional accomplishments, athletic achievements and personal happiness.



He is survived by sons, Dr. John Edward Phay (Leigh) and Robert Edmond Phay, Jr. (Siu), and grandchildren Sofia, Colten, Bromley and Zola. He is also survived by his and Jeanie's "Russian daughter" Zhenya Arutyunyan (Carsten), her children Georg and Miriam, and her mother Anait Arutyunova.



Robert's career was devoted to educational leadership and public service. After graduating from University of Mississippi in 1960 where he was president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, he attended Yale Law School where he was named an editor of the Yale Law Journal. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army from 1963-1965, before joining the Institute of Government at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill as a school law expert. In 1984, he was appointed the first director of a newly established statewide leadership program for principals and superintendents at UNC-Chapel Hill, the Principals' Executive Program (PEP). He led the program with distinction and was named the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Public Law and Government. He later conceived and co-founded World View, an innovative global education program at UNC-Chapel Hill, which he directed for 15 years. Robert often said that PEP and World View "consumed him"-a reflection of the passion and energy he poured into strengthening public education.



One of Robert's other passions was music. He was a gifted French horn player, sang for a decade as a tenor with the Durham Choral Society and maintained a lifelong love of opera-especially the works of Wagner. His first date with Jeanie, in Washington, D.C., was to a performance of Tannhäuser, a moment he often described as the one that confirmed she would be his ideal partner in life.



His adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors took him on treks and climbs across all seven continents, including major mountain ranges from the Andes to the Himalayas. He was an avid gardener, designing a Japanese rock garden for his backyard, which he tended to lovingly in his later years. He was a Boy Scout and later an Eagle Scout, following his father's example-a tradition continued by both of his sons and grandsons.



Robert's athletic achievements were extraordinary. He completed marathons on all seven continents as a member of the Seven Continents Club, ran the Boston Marathon 12 times, and completed his 39th marathon virtually during the COVID 19 pandemic at age 82. He earned first place in his age group at his first triathlon at 64 and later won first place in the U.S. Half Ironman Triathlon Championship for his age group at 70, qualifying for the national championship.



Robert was a committed civic participant throughout his life. A lifelong supporter and volunteer for the Democratic Party, he worked tirelessly on behalf of candidates and causes he believed would strengthen democracy.



Robert's contributions to the state of North Carolina were recognized in 2013 when Governor Beverly Perdue awarded him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest civilian honor.



In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Robert's name to your favorite charity. A few of the organizations that Robert supported include the Ackland Art Museum (https://ackland.org/), the North Carolina Botanical Garden (https://ncbg.unc.edu/) and the North Carolina Symphony (https://ncsymphony.org/).



A celebration of Robert's life will be held Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 2 pm in the Carolina Meadows Club Center auditorium, 100 Whippoorwill Lane, Chapel Hill, NC.