Bob Harrison Philbeck

Bob Harrison Philbeck, 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at Sunrise of North Hills, Raleigh. He was born on December 21, 1940 to the late Irvin Philbeck and Nola Brown Philbeck in Statesville, NC. Bob moved his family to Raleigh to accept a position with the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services where he began his almost 40 years of service to persons with disabilities in the State, Nation and World communities. While in his youth he felt one of his greatest accomplishments was earning the Eagle Scout Award.

Bob attended Wake Forest University and High Point University, earned an MS degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an MS degree in Pastoral Counseling from the Christian University of Florida. He taught high school at the Scott’s Community School in Iredell County before beginning his career with Vocational Rehabilitation. His initial role with VR was working with individuals who needed specialized job training and job placement services leading to their employment and gaining their highest level of independent living. He helped develop and support numerous vocational and sheltered workshops across NC to assist in accomplishing this training and job placement. He rose through the ranks of the state agency and served as Deputy State Director for 15 years before being appointed as State Director in 1994 by then Governor Jim Hunt.

Bob was active on the state level in all areas of rehabilitation, being appointed by Governor Robert Scott to direct a Criminal Justice Manpower Study under a grant from the US Department of Labor. He was appointed by the US Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration to help write the rehabilitation portion of the State Health Plan for the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands when the US was establishing its commonwealth relationship with the Islands, and the plan was put into operation in 1985. In 1990 Bob was appointed as staff analyst to the US Member to the International Labor Organization to draft a Geneva Convention on the World-wide Rights of Disabled People. This Convention was ultimately ratified by the US Senate. At his retirement in June 2002, Bob was awarded “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine” for his service to the State.

Even with all these achievements, Bob always felt his greatest blessing was marrying his life’s partner of over 50 years, Susie Nash Philbeck, who went to be with the Lord in April, 2011. This union produced two great children who survive him, Mrs. Mary B. Thomas (and husband Allen of Dunn), and Mr. J. Heydt Philbeck (and wife Caroline of Raleigh.) “Poppy” was blessed with twelve grandchildren: Kathleen (Bradley McKeel), Beck (Kasie), Hannah, Eliza, Natalie, Gabriel and Zachary Thomas; and Steele, John Heydt Jr., Beattie, Nash and Boone Philbeck; and five great-grandchildren: Taylor, Bella, Ariel, Declan and Lincoln McKeel. He is also survived by his sister Sandy Philbeck Barker (and husband Jerry of Raleigh) and by his brother Charles I. Philbeck (and wife Nancy of Statesville.)

Bob and his family have been grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided him by the staff of Sunrise of North Hills.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, December 18, at 3;00 pm at Victory Church, 2825 South Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC 27603, followed by visitation at the church. There will be a private entombment service at Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship of Christ (designated for Servants for Life) 1788 Kildare Farm Road, Cary NC 27511.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.