August 28, 1928 - May 29, 2022
Rank: Specialist 1st Class
Dates of service: 1954 - 1957
Robert L Talley was born at home in Greensboro, NC on August 28, 1928, the youngest of nine children of the late Charles Odas Talley, Sr. and Martha Frances Barker Talley. His family enjoyed playing and singing music together, often leaving Wednesday night choir practice at College Park Baptist Church to continue singing on the front steps of the church. Public education included playing in the school orchestra; Bob played the viola. He graduated from Greensboro High School, Campbell College and Wake Forest College. He married the late Doris Knott Talley while serving in the Army as an Electronics Technician. His military training sparked an interest in graduate studies in nuclear engineering at Tennessee Technical Institute and North Carolina State University.
After his service in the Army, Bob and Doris moved back home to Knightdale to raise their children. He was a faithful deacon and active choir member at Knightdale Baptist Church. He served on the Eastern Wake School Advisory Board and supported his family while working as an electrical engineer for the State of North Carolina Department of Administration. With dual registration as a Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, he ran Talley and Associates, working nights and weekends as a surveyor. In his own business, he was able to provide weekend employment for his children and for many youth in the community.
Bob loved his family and his extended family. After a day of surveying, Saturday nights were spent eating grilled chicken and drinking coffee, milk, or cold iced tea as the season warranted. All were welcome at his table and there was always a bowl of ice cream to be shared. Bob continued his love of music, singing in the church choir with his children and attending the band, orchestra, and chorus concerts of his grandchildren; a classical station played 24 hours a day.
Bob was a devoted son, twin, brother, husband, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many.
