Robert Scott Warhover

1947 - 2024

Robert Scott Warhover

Sep 11, 1947 - Oct 11, 2024

Scott passed away peacefully at his home in Winston-Salem, NC. A gentle, patient, and opinionated man, Scott grew up in Winnetka, IL and graduated from New Trier High School in 1965. He developed his passion for sailing during his early years by building his own sailboat and sailing in Lake Michigan, just a few blocks from the family home. At the urging of his Dad, Scott joined Ship Ten where he honed his technical sailing skills.

Scott attended Colorado College during the height of the Vietnam war, graduating in 1969. Begrudgingly, he followed his Dad's advice again and enrolled in ROTC while at college to train for a rank of Second Lieutenant, increasing his chances of a relatively favorable assignment in Vietnam. He was ordered to serve in the Psychological Operations unit in 1970 and was stationed in Da Nang and Hue.

Scott returned to the USA with a Bronze Medal and started his civilian life in Colorado Springs as owner of a bookstore, The Bookworm. An avid reader, Scott's book recommendations drew customers from all over.

Bittersweetly, Scott sold his bookstore and moved to Winston-Salem, NC, where he applied his technology expertise (developed as a child taking apart every appliance, radio, and TV in the house) to working for Apple selling the first desktop Apples to schools and then forming his own computer consulting business. His clients valued his calm demeanor, endless patience, and ability to show them how technology could be used to improve their lives.

In 1990, Scott married his love, Donna Oliver and together they embarked on a life full of laughter. They would be joined by a succession of beloved pets and an eventual child, Kelsey (b. 1992). The threesome plus their wild menagerie formed a tight family unit, enriched by his vibrant imagination and irrepressible humor. In his later years, he made his dreams of a life at sea come true by buying his sailboat and house in Oriental, NC. In between ocean voyages, he offered his skills to the Oriental community, just as he did in Winston-Salem. He volunteered widely throughout his life, and was always a friend to libraries, children, and the animals.

Scott was happiest when he was with his family, on his sailboat, or building a very complicated model ship. A Renaissance man, he regaled all of those lucky enough to know him with his poignant observations on human life and his unending knowledge of books, movies and art. He considered himself to be among the most stoic of men, and always took joy in providing for those around him, but those closest to him knew that he was not without certain weaknesses. His iron willpower crumbled in the face of a well-fed cat pleading for a meal, a mischievous child looking for an accomplice, or a bright, shiny classic sports car.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; his daughter, Kelsey; his siblings, Steve, Barbara and Anne; his nieces and nephews, Julie, Jeff, Susan, Sally, Katie, Nicholas, and Chris; and his grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Salem Funeral Home Reynolda Chapel, 2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106