Robert Balentine Bobby Cass

Robert Balentine Cass, 65, of Atlanta, GA died Wednesday, October 9, 2013 from emphysema at home. The family will receive friends and family at the Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, 639 N. Main St. in Greenville, SC on Saturday, October 12, 2012 from 12:00 o’clock noon followed by funeral services in the Thomas McAfee Chapel at 1:30 o’clock. The Rev. Neil Cockran will officiate, with remarks by Rusty Burress and Jim Morgan. The pianist is Lynn Nuessner Schaeffer. The service in the Chapel will be followed by internment at the Springwood Cemetery in Greenville.

Bobby was born in Greenville, SC on October 29, 1947. He was the son of J. Kenneth Cass, the former mayor of Greenville, and Othella Balentine Cass. Bobby was born the same month his father was elected Mayor for the first time.

He graduated from Greenville High School in 1965 and then Wofford College in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

After moving to Atlanta, he was employed by Emory University, the Peasant Restaurants, the High Museum of Art and Phillips & Phillips Dental. For a short time, in 1978, he lived in New Orleans and was employed at Commander’s Palace restaurant.

Bobby was known for his quick wit and humor. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed travel, foreign languages and crossword puzzles. Photos of his garden at home were published in an Atlanta real estate magazine. While working at the Pleasant Peasant Restaurant in Atlanta he waited on Olivia Newton-John. She enjoyed his company so much she took him along on her Lear Jet to her concert in North Carolina (1977). As a thank you Bobby entertained her and her back-up singers in his home. He also had tea in the servant quarters of Buckingham Palace while on a trip to London.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest brother, James K. Cass, Jr.

He is survived by his beloved life partner of 36 years, Dr. Greg Phillips of Atlanta, by his sister, Carolyn Cass Herron of Greenville, her husband Kenneth D. Herron and by a brother, William Edmund Cass of Atlanta.

He is also survived by nieces and nephews Melinda Cass Brisendine, James Kenneth Cass, III, Brian O’neil Cass and wife Cheryl, David C. Cass and partner Matthew Smith; Susan Herron Bennett and her husband Don, Chip Herron and his wife Dawn, David Cass Herron and his wife Dolly and Elizabeth Herron Dobson and her husband Dan. In addition he is survived by great nieces and nephews Conner Cass; Fox, Hunter, Chase, Lily, Miles and Chapel Herron; Gracie Cass Herron, Forrest Riddle; Jonathan and Stephen Bennett; and Ellen, Ashley and Dana Dobson.

Many thanks to the caregivers from Gentiva Hospice in Atlanta, especially Dee and Wanda, as well as to Bill Cass and Dwain Stowe who took care of Bobby.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Greenville or Atlanta Humane Societies or to a charity of your choice. http://atlantahumane.org/; http://www.greenvillehumane.com/