Robert Eugene "Bob" Hibbitts

1936 - 2025

Robert Eugene (Bob) Hibbitts of Hickory passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Born on April 3, 1936 in Clintwood, Virginia, he was the son of the late Logan Edward Hibbitts and Georgia Wright Hibbitts. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Joan Grogan Hibbitts, and brothers Edward Harold Hibbitts, Sr. and Harry Lee Hibbitts.

Mr. Hibbitts is survived by his wife Patricia Mullins Hibbitts, daughter Katheryn Hibbitts Powers (John) of Greenville, S.C. and son Mark B. Hibbitts of Moravian Falls, N.C. Also surviving are grandchildren Nathaniel S. Powers, Ben W. Powers, and Emily E. Powers of Greenville, S.C., and Daniel Logan Hibbitts of Conover, N.C. and Jessica Hibbitts Woodie (Brock) of Hickory. He is also survived by great-granddaughters Amelia Grace Scovern and Rylann Woodie and great-grandson Lawson Woodie. Several nieces and nephews also survive him. His constant companion was a devoted canine friend, Benji.

Mr. Hibbitts was a graduate of Clintwood, Virginia public schools and attended Greenbrier Military School and the University of Virginia Wise. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Mr. Hibbitts joined First Security Company and worked there for thirty years before retiring as President. Hibbitts joined the staff of U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth for five years as Regional Director in Hickory serving western North Carolina. He then was employed with the brokerage firm Marsh McLennan as a Vice-President of Risk Management, assisting the one hundred counties of North Carolina.

Mr. Hibbitts was a longtime member of Viewmont Baptist Church, having served as a Deacon and in many other leadership positions. Hibbitts served several years as a Trustee of the Catawba Valley Medical Center. He was a Past President of the Longview Lions Club and a member of the Hickory American Legion Post #544 and its Honor Guard. He also served on the Lenoir-Rhyne University Board of Visitors.

Bob Hibbitts was elected to the Catawba County Board of Commissioners in 1980. During his twenty-year tenure, Hibbitts held many positions of leadership on the national, state, and local levels, includingserving as Chairman of the Catawba County Board for ten years. Mr. Hibbitts was the recipient of the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine award.

A celebration of the life of Robert E. Hibbitts will be held at Viewmont Baptist Church in Hickory on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church between 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. A reception will immediately follow at the church. Graveside services and interment will be held at Phipps Memorial Cemetery in Clintwood, Virginia at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Viewmont Baptist Church.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory is serving the Hibbitts family.