Robert Armstrong

Robert Powell Armstrong, Sr., 85, completed his Circle of Life on March 4, 2025, after a brief but intense showdown with abdominal cancer. True to his self-determined nature, once he received confirmation of a terminal diagnosis, he transitioned from this life to the next within a week.

 Born and raised in Bladenboro, NC, Robert lived a long, vibrant and intentional life, reveling in teaching his children and their friends how to waterski; traveling the United States over many decades with a range of campers in tow; keeping a meticulous lawn; and serving his church and community in a variety of positions, including multiple terms as a deacon for Bladenboro First Baptist Church and one term on the Bladenboro Town Council.

 Robert graduated from Bladenboro High School in 1957 and earned an industrial engineering degree from North Carolina State University (GO PACK!!) in 1962 followed by his master’s in systems engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1966. He then served a strategic air command tour in Vietnam with the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain before leaving the Service in 1969 to return to NC where he worked for 25 years as a nuclear engineer/statistician for GE Nuclear in Wilmington.

 He married his childhood nemesis turned high school sweetheart, Jane Bryan, in 1964. Over six-plus decades, they raised two children while mentoring and nurturing many others; owned, operated and then sold a local hardware store (Armstrong’s True Value Hardware); and had many unparalleled adventures – some of the most treasured with the Happy Campers gang on trips to state parks throughout the region. In fact, Robert’s last significant purchase was a new (to him) RV in early 2024.

 Robert was preceded in death by his parents, David Hooks Armstrong and Carrie Powell Armstrong and his daughter-in-law Sara E. Armstrong. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years and some change, Jane, and their two children and their spouses: Carrie Armstrong Banks and Craig Banks of Montgomery, AL, and Robert Powell Armstrong, Jr. and Alisha Armstrong of Ocean Isle Beach, NC. He was exceedingly proud of his two granddaughters, Abby Armstrong of Charlotte, NC, and Cecilia Armstrong, a student at NCSU (GO PACK!), and was excited for their personal and professional futures. He enjoyed following the sporting escapades of his two grand stepsons: Bryce and Chase Thompson of Ocean Isle Beach, NC. In addition, he (mostly) held in high regard a plethora of nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.

 The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. in the sanctuary of Bladenboro First Baptist Church on Saturday, March 8, 2025, with a Celebration of Life service immediately following at 2 p.m.

 In leu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Baptists on Mission Hurricane Helene Relief Fund or a hurricane relief fund of your choice.