Roberta A. Dunbar

Hillsborough - Roberta Ann Dunbar, 72, of Hillsborough, NC, died peacefully at her home on July 6. Born on February 14, 1938 in Clarksburg, WV, Ann was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Idleman Dunbar and her longtime friend, Janice L. Mills, and is survived by her father Robert J. Dunbar and sister Gwen D. Hall, Belpre, OH; brother John W. Dunbar, Tulsa, OK; niece, Michelle A. Bishop and family, Atlanta, GA; nephew Eric L. Hall and wife Julie, USAF in Petersborough, England; and nephew R. Travis Dunbar and family, Elkridge, MD.
Ann graduated from Wellesley College in 1960 with a BA in History. She attended graduate school at UCLA receiving her M.A. in 1964 followed by her Ph.D. in 1970, both in History. Ann worked at the George School in Philadelphia, performed fieldwork in Niger and Senegal in West Africa, and taught Hausa language to Peace Corps volunteers.
Coming to UNC in 1969, Ann taught in the History Department, and joined the African and Afro-American Studies Curriculum in 1974. She co-chaired that curriculum for 10 years, and then developed courses laying the groundwork for the Department established in the 1980s. Teaching in African literature, art, and gender studies, Ann also espoused the "service-learning' movement in the 1990s and taught some participatory development courses in that field. Her research interests were
in 20th and 21St century social history of West Africa Muslim areas, focusing on law and political movements as they have been influenced and shaped by women. Continuing education and department programs led to travel and in some cases residence in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and South Africa. At home, Ann's long involvement with the Dispute Settlement Center of Orange County paralleled her intellectual interest in social justice.
Throughout her academic career Ann's tireless mentoring of countless students not only helped guide them to productive lives but also created a rich network of progressive colleagues both in Africa and domestically.
Ann retired in 2009, enjoying gardening, cooking, photography, traveling and spending time with family and friends as well as with her two pups. From 2008, she was an active member of the United Church of Christ of Chapel Hill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ann's memory to the Roberta Ann Dunbar Award in African and Afro-American Studies, c/o The Arts and Sciences Foundation, Inc., UNC-Chapel Hill, Campus Box 6115, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-6115; the Dispute Settlement Center, 302 West Weaver Street, Carrboro, NC, 27510; the UNC Kidney Foundation, Attn: Suzie Hosman,
6006 Burnett Womack Bldg., CB# 7156, Chapel Hill, NC 27559-7156; UNC Hospice; UNC Cancer Center; or to the charity of the donor's choice.
The family expresses its deep appreciation to all the wonderful staff at the UNC OB'GYN clinic;
UNC Women's Hospital staff on the 6th floor; UNC Healthcare; and UNC Hospice. A special thanks to Paola Gehrig, MD; Ms. Katina Rieves, RN; and Ms. Wendy Palmer.
A memorial service to celebrate Ann's time with us will be held in September at the United Church of Christ in Chapel Hill.
Online condolences: Walkers funeral service. com.