Robert Tate

Robert Greye “Bob” Tate

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.” .

Matthew 25:23

Robert Greye Tate, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, died January 9, 2021 at the age of 88. A fierce corporate litigator and a great storyteller, he gave his all to everything he tackled. From class vice president and yearbook editor at Ensley High in 1949 to Residents Association president at Kirkwood by the River in 2020, Bob had leadership positions in numerous organizations throughout his life.

After Ensley High Bob attended the University of Alabama for his undergraduate and law degrees. After undergraduate graduation in 1954 he married his lifelong companion Ann (Chalifoux) and they set off for Troy, New York where Bob served as part of the Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps.

After the Army he joined the law firm where his father had worked - Burr, McKamy, Moore & Tate. Over the next four decades the firm grew into today’s Burr & Forman, where Bob became managing partner.

He ended his legal career with one of his proudest achievements, combining his work as an attorney with his love of the environment. He led the Cahaba River Society as they joined with the Environmental Protection Agency to negotiate an agreement with Jefferson County that resulted in a new county sewer system and created the Freshwater Land Trust. Bob and Ann set aside 11 acres of their own land near the Cahaba as part of the Trust.

Bob and Ann shared a lifelong love of the outdoors. They were members of the Birmingham Audubon Society, Alabama Wildflower Society, and founders of the Cahaba River Society. Bob was at one time president of each organization. They spent many happy post-retirement years touring the US and Canada in their RV and traveled alone and with friends around the world.

Bob was a member since 1957 of Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder. He faithfully held down the last row of the sanctuary during services. He also led pastor searches and fundraising activities at the church for decades.

In 2015 Bob and Ann moved to Kirkwood by the River. He was an active member of the community, with a word or joke for everyone in the building. He enjoyed bridge games with fellow residents and served as president of the Residents Association for 4 years.

He is preceded in death by his sister Carolyn Blair and brother Bill Tate. He is survived by his loving wife Ann, son Robert G Tate Jr. (Laura) of Atlanta, son Stephen R Tate (Liz) of Greensboro NC; grandchildren Alexandra, Erin, Elise and Reid Tate; nieces Ann Blair Campagna and Sue Blair Brandt; nephews Mac and Greye Tate; and sister-in-law Tootsie Tate.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to Shades Valley Presbyterian Church or Kirkwood by the River. Due to COVID, a memorial service will be held at a later date.