Robert James Herbert

CHARLOTTE - Mr. Robert James Herbert, 59, passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte.

A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2022 at Sunset Memory Gardens, 8901 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill, NC.

Left to mourn his loss are his mother, Doris; his tante, Oma and his longtime companion, Grant.

Robert James Herbert was born March 25, 1962 in Glascow, Montana and was the son of the late James Herbert and Doris Herbert of Charlotte, NC. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Michael.

Robert was born while his father was serving in the Air Force. Soon after, they moved to California, and he grew up in San Jose. Robert attended Walter Mitty High School and was a Cub and Boy Scout, earning his merit badges while camping in the Sierra Mountains. He enjoyed many things, such as motor homing with his family at Lake Tahoe, drives into San Francisco for special dinners and traveling to see family in Kentucky and New York. 

Robert lived, for a time, in Florida but especially enjoyed summers in Europe, particularly Switzerland and Germany. He loved telling the story of how, in his mother's hometown of Berlin, he and his brother entertained the neighbors, as they leaned from the windows of their apartments, watching the two young American boys in the courtyard below riding and trying tricks on their skateboards. A sight unseen in those days.

Robert loved animals and animals loved him. He took full credit for getting his mother involved in breeding German Shepards, beginning when he found a flyer of a shepard for sale and convinced his parents get it even though they had to make payments to buy the expensive dog. He loved working with and training the dog, even bringing it to the Carolinas when IBM transferred his family to Charlotte. He so inspired his mother into the hobby that it has lasted forty years and continues to this day.

Robert worked his entire career in retail, beginning with selling his parents on the idea of buying a dog on time. He became quite a successful salesman, starting in convenient stores, where he worked his way up to manager, and moving to clothing stores, apartment homes, drug stores and to home repair shops. He enjoyed the challenge, was good at it and won many awards for his selling achievements.

He loved talking to people and people enjoyed him. Though he once sang soprano in the Sienna Boys Choir, his voice deepened into a smooth baritone. He was often asked “Are you on radio?” “Well, you should be”.

Everyone who met him remembered his name. He had an engaging personality, a beautiful smile, and was a kind, generous human being that will be dearly missed.