Robert Bradford Leggett Jr.

1944 - 2025

Robert Bradford Leggett, Jr.

Jul 19, 1944 - Jan 13, 2025

Robert Bradford Leggett, Jr., died peacefully at home following a long illness.

Brad was born on July 19, 1944, in Fort Smith, AR to the late Robert Bradford Leggett, Sr., and Elizabeth Ridlon Leggett. At the time, his father was stationed overseas and his mother was headed back to New Hampshire. After the war, the family ultimately moved to Boca Raton, FL, where Bob took a job as the manager of the Boca Raton Hotel and Club.

Brad and his younger sister Karen grew up in Boca. Their mother, a former teacher, drilled proper grammar and Latin into them, establishing a foundation for Brad's future law career. At Seacrest High School, Brad dabbled in politics, serving as junior class president. On the recommendation of his high school Latin teacher, Brad applied to a small private college in North Carolina called Wake Forest University. He arrived in Winston-Salem for his Freshman year in 1962, pledged Theta Chi Fraternity, and enthusiastically embraced the undergraduate life. In 1964, he met a nursing student named Sandi, who convinced him that more classes and fewer parties might be a better route to take through life. Never one to wear his emotions on his sleeve, Brad proposed to her by tossing a ring her way as he was passing by with his brothers. Three years later, they were married and Brad was in law school at Wake Forest School of Law.

He graduated cum laude in 1969 and was admitted to the NC Bar the same year. He spent two years as a law clerk to the Honorable Eugene Gordon, US District Judge in the Middle District of NC. In 1971 he went into private practice at Hatfield, Allman, and Hall. He practiced law at the firm that eventually became Allman Spry Leggett Crumpler and Horn for the next fifty years, concentrating on corporate restructuring and business reorganizations. He served as Chairman of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association from 1986 to 1987 and was listed in Best Lawyers in America from 1989 until his retirement. He was one of only 10 practicing attorneys in the State of North Carolina listed as a Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy. Before retiring from the firm, Brad earned the prestigious AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 rating from Martindale-Hubbell® and was selected by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the State's "Legal Elite." He relished his work, and by example, taught his children the importance of finding a career that is challenging, engaging, and fun. They both took it to heart.

Throughout his life, Brad continued to engage in politics. He worked on Howard Coble's campaign for NC Treasurer in 1976. That ended his active participation in campaigning, but he remained a steadfast Republican until 2016. He spent many happy hours in retirement following national politics. Some days, the news got his heart rate up so much it actually qualified as exercise.

Brad had a wicked, dry sense of humor. He never met a pun he didn't like, and always appreciated good snark. He loved bad reality TV and even worse food. He spent Sunday mornings clipping coupons and considered grocery shopping on Saturdays the highlight of his weekend, so long as he made it home in time to watch the Deacons play ball.

A voracious reader, Brad would chronicle his books in a Word document that he periodically reprinted and carried around with him in his briefcase. By the time he retired that thing was 177 pages long. He loved annual trips to the beach with good friends, winning pennies at Tripoli, and eating homemade seafood boils. He knew there was no better butter delivery system than crab claws and steamed clams.

Brad is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Sandi; his daughter, Kristine of Raleigh; his son, Rob (Heidi) of Virginia; his grandsons, Bailey of Michigan, and Taylor, Joseph, Zach, and Brady of Virginia; his sister, Karen Mitchell, of Kernersville; two nieces, Melanie Miller of Ohio and Monica Mongold of Virginia; and many in-laws and friends who loved him dearly. He also leaves behind a very fat cat called Casper.

Condolences may be sent to Sandi Leggett at 1700 Tiffany Bay Court, Unit 303, Raleigh, NC 27609. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Legal Aid of North Carolina. A celebration of life will be held in Winston-Salem this spring.

If you come across an episode of Swamp People one evening, settle back with some Fritos and a Raging Grape soda and remember Brad. He was a good man, a great lawyer, and a tremendous husband, father, and friend. His was truly a life well-lived.