Robert Breese, Jr.

Waynesville, Robert Hume Breese, Jr., 93, passed away on Monday, September 24, 2018 at
The Homestead, surrounded by his family.

The son of the late Robert Hume and Jennie Ray Breese, Bob was born at Biltmore Hospital in Biltmore, NC. His early years were spent in Raleigh, until the untimely death of his father when he returned with his mother to the family home on Love Lane in Waynesville. Bob was educated at Christ School in Arden. He was a World War ll Veteran and served in the Army Air Corps as a tail gunner on a B26 Bomber.

Bob graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1949. He was a member
of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and served on the Student Council at Chapel Hill. Bob was a
past chairman of the Western NC Chapter of the UNC-CH Alumni Association. The world lost its biggest Tar Heel Fan with the passing of Bob. He lived for Tar Heel Football.

After a successful insurance career, Bob retired as Division Manager for Jefferson Pilot
Corporation. Quickly finding that retirement wasn't for him, Bob went back to work as President of Great Smokies Insurance Agency. Throughout his career, Bob was active in civic affairs, twice President of the Lions Club, member of Waynesville Planning and Zoning Board, the Historical Society and Preservation Commission, a Jaycee, President of the United Way, and Chairman of the ABC Board.

A parishioner of Grace Episcopal Church in the Mountains, Bob was an active member until his death, serving on the Vestry as both Junior and Senior Warden for the Church. He was proud to be the oldest living member.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Gwen Franks Breese of Waynesville; sons
Robert Hume Breese, lll and his wife, Barbara of Winter Springs, Fl, Ron S. Breese and his wife, Susan of Waynesville; daughter Angela Breese Standish and her husband, Tom of Davidson; eight grandchildren, Niki, Emmi and Bo Breese, Melissa Breese Palmer and her husband, Dustin, Bradley Hume Breese, Shea, Sydney, and Sophia Standish; two great grandchildren, Maddie and Charlie of Winter Springs, Fl; cousin and ‘brother' Eugene Howell of TX; close family friend and ‘daughter,' Kitty Burgin Eaker and husband, Bill of Lake Junaluska.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26th, at Grace Episcopal Church in the Mountains with The Reverend Joslyn Ogden Schaefer officiating. Reception will immediately follow given by the Daughters of the King.

Memorials may be made to Grace Church in the Mountains at 394 N, Haywood St. Waynesville, NC 28786 or to Hospice at 560 Leroy George Dr., Clyde, NC 28721.

The care of Bob has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com

Previous Events

Cemetery Details

Memorial Contribution