Beaver Roy Robinette

Beaver Roy Robinette, age 88, passed away Wednesday evening 17 March 2021. It was a very peaceful event after a brief battle with kidney failure and dementia. Born 23 August 1932 to Conley Robinette and Lois Powell Robinette of Valdese, NC as one of six children (Darold Powell, William Robinette, Bernice Brucie Deal, Berline Eckerd and Bonnie Digh). He has now gone on to a glorious reunion with them all at the feet of our Savior. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Daisy Mae Ross Robinette, son Beaver Ross Robinette and grandson Allen Ross Robinette, daughter Penny Anne (Michael) Taylor, and sister-in-law Bernice Ribet Robinette, and many nieces and nephews.

Beaver left Burke County for the first time when he joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He loved the Navy, the sea, and sailing, his whole life. Beaver went to Appalachian State University and met Daisy Mae Ross. They completed bachelors and master’s degrees in music education. Their 60-year marriage began then, as well as a long musical legacy as band directors, music lovers and as a couple. Love and music do go well together!

Beaver started his band directing career in Salisbury, with the man who had been his first band director and saxophone instructor, Mr. George Wilson. He then had the privilege of directing with Captain Harper and John Miller at the nationally renowned Lenoir High School Band. He left when hired for the newly constructed McDowell High School. Many of his students became career musicians. They credit Mr. Robinette’s enthusiasm, dedication and joy for teaching music that made them realize its importance in their own lives. He firmly believed no one should be left out of music. For his last few years teaching, Mr. Robinette taught music at many of the elementary schools in McDowell County. Beaver Robinette’s legacy as a music educator is very long, and all the stories shared by former students during the past several months have lovingly assured his family that his legacy lives on.

Beaver Robinette loved to make people laugh. He was adventurous and kind. He loved hiking, walking, boating and swimming. He was a huge Carolina fan – Go Heels! He loved his 1964 black Corvair, and his 1956 Selmer Mark 6 Saxophone. He loved playing and teaching saxophone, piano, guitar, ukulele, recorder and dulcimer. He was a composer who appreciated learning from other composers. He loved his family, and enjoyed researching ancestry. He loved woodworking in his workshop. He loved traveling, as long as Daisy was with him, but especially if it involved attending a music concert. He loved listening to “good” music. He especially appreciated jazz music, and his favorite jazz club was the Blue Note in NYC. He loved it so much that he named his dog Blue Note …and then later he named his next dog Blue Note 2 …and then later he named his next dog Blue Note 3!

A graveside funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday 18 April 2021 at Burke Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690, or your local hospice.

The United States Navy and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard will be providing Military Honors.

Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton has the honor of serving the family.