Robert E. Hoerter

1941 - 2021

Robert (Bob) Edward Hoerter, 79, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 16. Bob retired to Chapel Hill after living most of his life in Winter Park, Florida.

Bob was born on Dec. 1, 1941, to Robert Edward Hoerter (Sr.) and Marie Wilson Hoerter Hutchinson in Philadelphia.

After graduating from Hialeah High School in 1959, Bob went on to study at Florida State University, where he was a charter member and president of Delta Chi fraternity. He graduated in 1963 with a business degree.

After graduation, Bob enlisted in the Army and attended Officer Candidate School, graduating as a second lieutenant. During his enlistment, he attended night school to earn his MBA at Georgia State University, where he earned membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He left the Army at the rank of captain in 1966 after receiving the Army Commendation Medal. Bob finished his MBA shortly thereafter. He was also a graduate of the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Bob began his career in banking at First Union in Charlotte, and continued working in finance for the next 40 years, including positions at Florida National Bank and Chase Bank. During this time, he served on the boards of Easterseals and the Primrose School in Orlando. He was an active Civitan member and was awarded the district honor key from Civitan Orlando.

After retiring in 2006 and moving to Chapel Hill, Bob became a charter member of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church. He was also active in Civitan of Chapel Hill, meeting weekly at Breadman's, and a member of American Legion Post 6.

Bob loved to travel, and visited six continents, including Antarctica, with his wife Lynne. As recently as October, Bob traveled to the Pacific Northwest to explore the Salish Sea. He also enjoyed volunteering, and coached many young (and very short) basketball players. Bob loved to sing impromptu songs and enjoyed a wide range of music, including the Kingston Trio, James Brown, the Eagles, Aretha Franklin, Waylon Jennings, Dave Brubeck, and Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Lynne Thorpe Hoerter; his three children, Robert (Chris) Hoerter of Chapel Hill (Laura Augustine), Steven Hoerter of Wellesley, Massachusetts (Jeanne Hoerter), and Andrew Hoerter of Chapel Hill (Christina Fuhrmann); grandchildren Samuel (Ariel) Hoerter, Alexander Hoerter, and Elizabeth Hoerter; and half-siblings Kathleen Lisa, James Hutchinson, Janice Martino, and Nancy Kozachyn. He also leaves behind his beloved dog Tako.

Bob is predeceased by his mother, father, stepmother Caldwell Guion Hoerter McAlister, stepfather Jim Hutchinson, and stepsister Anne McLean Macsovits.

A memorial service, officiated by The Reverend Andrew Taylor-Troutman, will be held at Chapel in the Pines on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m., followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church, 314 Great Ridge Parkway, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.