Obituary of Robert Dudley Greer, Sr.

Robert Dudley Greer, Sr. was born September 26, 1933.

“What the hell?” was an expression oft used by Bob. For him, it could range from an expression of delight, to having banged his thumb with a hammer, and was a good indicator of his life philosophy. He lived life on his own terms and truly was an out-of-the-box thinker.

Bob Greer, an avid lover of ponies and horses, an undeniable “character,” a businessman, a family man, and an athlete, passed away on July 29, 2024. A native of Harford County Maryland, Bob was born the thirteenth and youngest child of Grover Cleveland (Cleve) Greer, Sr., and Annie Ethel Osborne Greer. Cleve and Annie emigrated from Maple Shade Farm in Ashe County, North Carolina, to Cool Spring Farm in Bel Air, Maryland in 1913.

Bob graduated from Bel Air High School in 1951 and went on to graduate from the University of Virginia in 1955 with a B.A. in Economics, where he was also a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1955 to 1957 as a Hospital Corpsman.

In high school, Bob played point guard in basketball, and ran track and cross country. He was voted “Best Athlete” in high school. At the University of Virginia, he lettered in track, boxing, and cross country, where he served as Team Captain from 1954 to 1955.

Bob enjoyed a long business career. His work began in Washington D.C. in 1958 where he owned and operated The Georgian Cafeteria for eleven years. In 1968, he lost his business due to the riots. In addition to losing his business, he mourned the loss of the incredible relationships he had established with his wonderful employees, who had lost their jobs as well.

With four children and a wife at home, he went on to work at the University of Virginia Food Services in 1968. From there he took a job at The University of North Carolina Food Services, and then became Manager of Triangle Food Service. Next, he served as General Manager, and Vice President of Durham Coca Cola for sixteen years. In 1990 he began a new venture, and co-founded Signarama Design Studio of Durham with his son Philip (Kip) T. Greer.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Shirley Leftridge in 2022. He had seven sisters, all deceased:  Nita, Kathleen, Peggy, Wilma, Eleanor, Myrtle and Ann. In addition, Bob had five brothers, Bus, Bill, Jack, Gene, all deceased. He is survived by one brother, Nick.

Bob believed his mother Annie Osborne Greer to be an angel on earth, who served as a great role model to him by helping others in need. He would go on to serve in many civic capacities during his lifetime, having made a pledge to his mother on her death bed in 1968 to try and follow in her footsteps.

Bob would go on to serve as President of The Nelson County Rotary in Virginia. He also served as President of The Cedar Grove Ruritan Club in three different years. He served as a Deacon for Wheaton Presbyterian Church in Maryland, he served as a member and on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Planning Board, in North Carolina, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Vending Association. Bob was also the leader of a 4-H Horsemanship Club in Orange County, North Carolina. He also served as County co-chair for the election to elect Jim Hunt as Governor of North Carolina.

Bob would often say his life changed one day when he ventured into the Woolworth’s Five and Dime Store in 1951. Behind the counter, he spied a beautiful dark-haired young lady with arresting eyes. From that point forward, Shirley and Bob were destined to live a long, adventurous life together, beginning their married life in 1956.

Bob is survived by his four children, Robert (Rob) D. Greer, Jr., and wife Cindy, Philip (Kip) T. Greer and wife Lesa, daughter, Annie Greer Baggett and husband Dale, daughter, Sharon Greer Addison, and husband Jeff. Bob is also survived by his former daughter-in-law Paula Kidd Greer. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Although Bob made his mark as a businessman, his greatest wish was to be remembered for his wonderful family. He used this expression, borrowed from his father, to sum up the exceptional success of his family:

“Success is relative. The more success, the more relatives!”

A private family burial will be held on Friday, August 9 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hillsborough Town Cemetery. On September 14, a celebration of Bob’s life and legacy will be held at the Colonial Inn in Hillsborough, North Carolina, with visitation from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the grounds. Afterward (5:30 to 8:00 p.m.), a Life Celebration and “Roast” will be held in the ballroom at the Inn. Anyone who ever played a hand of poker with Bob, received an unannounced visit from him, or was subjected to one of his irreverent jokes is welcome to attend the Life Celebration and Roast for Bob, but please R.S.V.P. (required due to limited capacity of the facility) by emailing greer13rsvp@gmail.com with headcount.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to benefit The Cedar Grove Ruritan Club P.O. Box 22 Cedar Grove, NC 27231.