Robert Allen Pippin

Robert Allen Pippin (Bob), son of The Reverend George Thomas Pippin and Vera Ashurst Pippin, was born on September 1, 1944, the second of three sons. Being the son of a Preacher, they moved frequently and as a youth, Bob lived in North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Bob attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with a degree in business administration. While attending University, he married Glenda Hardin and in 1965 had a son, Robert Allen Pippin Jr. Four years later, after graduating, they welcomed their second son, Charles Glenn Pippin. Bob was employed by Southern Railroad his entire career. He began as a trainmaster and finished his time with the railroad as a director of Amtrak operations. Similar to his younger years, he moved often while employed with the railroad. He loved railroading, the big machines, and the men that he worked for and with for thirty-three years. He retired in 2000 and finally had time to spend doing the things he truly loved like backpacking, hiking, spending time in the woods, and spending time with his family and grandkids. He hiked sections of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia through Virginia, as well as Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, and many trails in the Grand Canyon. Once, Bob suffered a heart attack on the Appalachian Trail with only his dog as a companion. Amazingly, he survived and walked out of the mountains, but he ended up with a bad heart and bad knees. While that was the end of his big hiking expeditions, Bob’s love for them never wavered. Throughout his life, Bob was a Deacon and always an active member of his local Church. Bob was also committed to missions and loved doing mission trips and mission work. He had a real call for it. Over the years Bob completed international mission trips to Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala. While living in Georgia, Bob helped with many local missions and ministries. He built handicap ramps, assisted with home repairs for those in need, and traveled to provide assistance to locations impacted by hurricanes or tornadoes. He loved the Lord and looked forward to the day that he would see his Savior face to face. He was a good man. The best husband. A good father. A good grandfather. A good churchman. He’s gone, but he won’t be soon forgotten. He touched the hearts of many people because he was kind, he was gentle, and genuinely loved people. He was Glenda’s husband, her first love. They started dating when she was thirteen and he was fourteen. They married in 1964 and were together for a total of fifty-eight years. He’ll be waiting on the far side of Jordan for Glenda, and on the day that she shows up, they will run to each other and rejoice.

Tributes

Robert Allen Pippin

September 1, 1944 - December 12, 2022