Robert "Bob" Harmon Usry

Robert “Bob” Usry, 69, of Raleigh passed away December 16, 2022. He is survived by his wife Shirley Hyatt Usry, daughter Kaye Candler Usry and partner Matthew Carter, son Sidney Joseph Usry, wife Amy Maule, grandson Beau Usry, and his sister Martha Usry Crampton and her husband Greg. His parents were Mary Fultz Usry and Sidney Harmon Usry.

Bob was a proud Raleigh native. As a boy, he rode his bike all over the city and delivered The Raleigh Times. On Sundays, he worshipped at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. And in the summers he went to Camp Cheerio as a camper and counselor. He attended Olds Elementary, Martin Middle, and Broughton High, where his class was among the first to be racially integrated. A firsthand witness to the city’s rapid growth and change, he loved to regale newcomers with his knowledge of Raleigh history. Even his voice was marked by the city—so much so that a linguist included his speech in a study of the Raleigh dialect.

At NC State, he earned a B.S. in Agribusiness and Economics. He also took on the nickname “Bob,” much to the surprise of his family, who will always call him Robert. In his first professional job, he was a 4-H Agent in Lenoir County. At first, to the rural youth and farmers he was tasked with reaching, Bob was a bit of a puzzle. A city kid, in a white Honda Civic—what could he possibly know about their lives? But he was kind, warm, and open-minded and he won them over.

Inspired by his time as a 4-H agent, Bob returned to NC State for graduate work and became an Extension Specialist and Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. As an intern at the Buncombe County Extension office, he impressed Bob Hyatt, who would later introduce him to his little sis Shirley when she was also a new Extension Specialist—they fell in love and married in 1980.

His accomplishments from 33 years of teaching and extension work are numerous. Most notably, he mentored a winning student team at the National Agri-Marketing Association competition, served as president of his professional organizations, and was named an Outstanding Teacher by the University. His greatest impact, however, isn't something you can list on a resume—he made lifelong connections with his students and many of them credit their successes to his quiet, gentle encouragement and support.

Regardless of the task—unsticking zippers, pumping up bike tires, troubleshooting computer, electrical, and plumbing issues—Bob never hesitated to lend a helping hand. In the neighborhood where Bob and Shirley made their home, he was among the first to welcome newcomers and to befriend their children and pets. Young at heart, he once spontaneously jumped into a pile of leaves to get a smile out of a neighbor’s child. On election days, he enjoyed being a precinct judge, impressing the other poll workers with how he seemed to know everyone passing through to vote. At his lifelong church home, White Memorial, he served faithfully in many roles, from shuttle driver to teacher to elder.

In retirement, he became involved with Filling in Gaps (FIGS), a local nonprofit organization that helps vulnerable populations get access to prescription drugs and supplies, serving as president during the first two years of the pandemic. He and Shirley traveled to places they found intriguing: the Galapagos, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Egypt, and Jordan. Sadly, they didn’t get to all the places on their list.

Bob’s contact list was long and deep. An avid reader, whenever he came across an article or book that reminded him of a particular person or conversation, he passed it along via email, checking in and catching up. Right up until his death, “Bob’s clipping service” as it came to be known was in full effect. Those who knew him well will greatly miss those emails, as well as his penchant for pimento cheese sandwiches, Mountain Dew, and a cold beer.

When asked to choose one word to describe Bob, his family could all agree on “kind.” Other words came to mind, too: loving, patient, and loyal. He was a devoted son to his mother Mary, beloved brother to Martha and her husband Greg Crampton, and a fun uncle to Beth Purdy, Louisa Fisher, and Anna Scott. Even Shirley’s mountain brothers came to appreciate Bob, despite his city ways.

An exemplary father to Sid and Kaye, Bob was a not-at-all embarrassing chaperone on school trips and the very best Indian guide, helping them to earn patches for their various adventures. Sid and Kaye are thankful for everything he taught them, including how to ignite a potato gun (with hairspray), balance a budget (with a spreadsheet), organize bothersome cables and wires (with labeled zip ties), and most importantly, how to care for other people and do it well. He warmly welcomed Sid’s wife Amy and Kaye’s partner Matthew Carter into the family. Sid’s son Beau, born in 2020, was his latest joy. In his two children and Beau, the best parts of Bob live on.

The Witness to the Resurrection, a public memorial service, will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. The service will also be live streamed via www.whitememorial.org. The family requests you wear something red, in his honor.

Memorial donations may be made to FIGS of Wake County, P.O. Box 12821, Raleigh 27605, White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh 27608, or NC Agriculture Foundation’s Agribusiness Club Scholarship Honoring Bob Usry, Campus Box 7645 NC State University, Raleigh 27695.

Service arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Raleigh, NC.