Bob Burchette

Bob Burchette

Winston-Salem

Robert “Bob” Burchette, a gentleman journalist, passed peacefully Sunday, January 13, 2019, from his earthly travels to eternal rest at Forsyth Memorial Hospital, seven days past his 81st birthday.

Born January 6, 1938, in Wilkes County, he was the son of William and Viola Burchette. Bob moved with his parents to Winston-Salem as a child and chose to live in the region his entire life. He passed up opportunities to move to larger cities because he loved North Carolina. Bob was a graduate of Catawba College where he was editor of the campus newspaper and active as a leader among his fellow students.

He was known fondly by his friends and newspaper colleagues as a gentleman journalist because he was both a sincere gentleman in all things as well as a professional journalist. Bob began his newspaper career with the Thomasville Times and Winston-Salem Journal before moving to the Greensboro News & Record where he was a reporter, editor and newsroom mentor as a manager. After his retirement from his newspaper career, he worked in the communications department at Guilford Technical Community College. 

Bob was skilled in all aspects of newspaper production, first as a reporter, then as an editor and teacher for young journalists. Among his many strengths was a listener and his ability to talk reasonably and attentively with anyone. He had a knack for getting people to tell him their stories. Bob enjoyed getting stories first, which he often did, but first, he wanted to get it right. Accuracy was his trademark.

His three favorite loves were his family, his Christian faith and quality newspapers.

Bob is survived by his wife, Gayle Burchette of the home; daughter, Julie Smith and husband Jay of Trinity; sister, Katherine Moxley of Winston-Salem; sister-in-law, Martha Williard of Taylorsville, several cousins; nieces and nephews; and his dog, Sam.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Green Street Baptist Church in High Point where he was a faithful member. Burial will be private at Waughtown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 1:45 PM prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Roy Kelly Sunday School Class of Green Street Baptist Church, 303 Rotary Dr., High Point, NC 27262.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.wrightfs.com.

Wright Funerals-Cremations is in charge of arrangements.