Robert Kenneth Melvin

Dr. Robert Kenneth Melvin, Ed.D, 78, of Rockingham, died Thursday, September 17, 2009 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Mr. Melvin was born September 2, 1931 in Bladen County, a son of the late Erma Singletary Melvin Allen and Charles Wayman Melvin. He was a graduate of Tar Heel High School and North Carolina State University, where he received his Doctorate in Education. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. He was a teacher with Whiteville City Schools and Sampson County Schools. He joined the staff of Richmond Technical College in 1966 as Evening Director, served as Director of Instruction, Dean of Instruction and retired in 1985 as President of the College. Following his retirement he worked with Farm Bureau for 11 years. Mr. Melvin was a member of First Baptist Church of Rockingham where he had served as a Deacon, a member of the choir, served on the Administrative Team and various other committees. His memberships include National Education Association, North Carolina Education Association, American Vocational Association, and Classroom Teachers Association. He had served on the board of Richmond County Cancer Society and Richmond County Heart Association, Hamlet Chamber of Commerce and Richmond County Chamber of Commerce, where he had also served as Vice President, President Elect and President. He had also served on the Vocational Education Advisory Committee for Richmond County Schools, Region “H” Private Industry Council, Richmond County Rural Development Panel and North Carolina Association of Public Community College Presidents. He was an active member, of the Rockingham Civitan Club, having served as Club Secretary, Vice President and President on the local level, Secretary-Treasurer at the District level and in 1975-76, International Distinguished Pressident of Civitan International. He was honored as Civitan of the Year and was the 2009 Citizen of the Year. Surviving are his wife, Jeannette Hester Melvin of the home; son, Charles Kenneth “ Kenny” Melvin and wife Leah of Rockingham; daughter, Kathy Melvin Walton of Greensboro; grandchildren, Charlie Melvin, Amanda Walton and Khristina Walton. Also surviving are a brother, Tommy Melvin and wife Ruby of Tarheel, NC, sister, Myra Hall and husband Bruce of Cameron, NC; and several nieces and nephews. A sister Mary Alice Sinclair preceded him in death. A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday at First Baptist Church of Rockingham with Rev. Dr. Jim Nelson and Rev. Nash Odom officiating. Graveside services will be held at 4:30 PM Sunday at the Grimes-Tatum Cemetery near Tarheel, NC. The family will see friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Saturday at Carter Funeral Home in Rockingham and at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to the Kitchen Renovation Fund of First Baptist Church of Rockingham, 201 N. Randolph St. Rockingham, NC 28379.