Robert Rector McGee

Robert Rector McGee, 64, of Winston-Salem, died on Aug. 30, 2014, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.

Robert was born on July 18, 1950, in Roanoke, Va., to the late Robert Lee McGee and Martha Rector McGee. He grew up in Roanoke and was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School. During his student years at Furman University, Robert became Bob, as he would be known to his countless friends. He continued his education at the St. Luke's School of Theology of The University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. His work in the Episcopal Church took him to parishes in Camden, S.C., Gaffney, S.C., Raleigh, N.C., and to Winston-Salem, where he realized his true calling as a college chaplain at Wake Forest University, Salem College and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He is and will always be Father Bob to the hundreds of students whose lives he touched. Robert wore a lot of hats. His hobby was entertaining children, who knew him as Mr. Balloon Man, Roscoe the Clown and ""Santa Claus."" He was the proud ""owner"" of the Rector Bros. Flying Flea Circus. Robert was a master of the art of making balloon animals. He took his talents to Israel, where children in a school in Ibillin knew him as Abuna Balloon. A favorite hat Robert wore was his cowboy hat. For many years, he spent weeks in the summers at ranches in Wyoming and Montana. He was inspired by the at-one-with-nature teachings of Native American spirituality. His family and friends were especially delighted that he was able this year, despite very serious health challenges, to enjoy time in Montana, riding horses with his daughter, Donna, son-in-law, Mark, and grandchildren, Robby and Ari. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his sister, Martha McGee Sorrow.

Robert is survived by his wife, Byah Doxey McGee, of the home; his daughter, Donna McGee Harmelink and husband, Mark, of Lincolnton; his sons Robert Tally and wife Reiko Graham of San Marcos, Texas; Richardson Tally and wife Elise of Somerville, Mass.; Joseph Tally and fiancee, Ada McElroy, of Cambridge, Mass.; a brother-in-law, Jim Sorrow and wife, Gin, of Rock Hill, S.C., a niece, Andrea Southgate and husband, Hank, two nephews, Adam Sorrow and Michael Sorrow; four grandchildren, Deanna Elizabeth Nolte, Robert Paul Sullivan, Ariana Bree Sullivan and Arthur Robert Tally; and his beloved dog, Dogberry. He is also survived by the many students who made his life's work so very fulfilling.

A celebration of Robert's life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 2 p.m. at Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University, 1834 Wake Forest Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Foundation, pmpcure.org, 6415 Granger Road, Independence, Ohio, 44131.

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