Robert Hubbard Ballantyne

Dr. Robert Hubbard Ballantyne, 84, passed away January 17, 2017. Bob was born August 2, 1932 in Kansas City, MO to Ruth Hubbard and Robert Law Ballantyne. His early years were spent in Waterville, KS, moving to Iowa City in 1939. High school experiences included serving as Youth Governor of Iowa, attending Boys State, football, track (state indoor champion in the class B half mile), drama and music. He attended the University of Iowa, was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, a radio announcer for WSUI, and active in campus musicals and singing groups before graduating in 1954. His summer work included stints as a bellhop on a Lake Michigan ship, a cowhand in Wyoming, and a tour escort for a national vacation tour company. He entered the US Air Force in 1954 and after three years of active duty and five years of reserve was discharged as a Captain. Bob married Mary Ann Olsen of West Branch, IA in 1956; she preceded him in death in 2006. Bob received his MS from the University of Iowa in 1958, and his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Washington State University in 1962. He then joined the faculty of Duke University serving as a psychologist, a professor of Education, an assistant to the president, and the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. In the community, he served as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church and as President of Allied Arts (now the Durham Arts Council.) In 1973, he was selected as a Fulbright Professor and served a year in Nicosia, Cyprus consulting to the Ministry of Education. During that time his children attended a Cypriot school and the family traveled throughout Europe and behind the Iron Curtain, in their Duke blue and white VW bus. Bob retired from Duke in 1998, but continued to teach for the University of Oklahoma, Webster, and Central Michigan in their continuing educational programs for US Military personnel, taught in Europe and the Pacific. His favorite locations were Germany, Japan, and especially Iceland. During his retirement years, he and Ann moved to Charlotte, where he continued to consult for the Social Security Administration, served as an Elder for Sharon Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the National Speakers Association. He was a resident of the Cypress of Charlotte, where he served on many committees and the Board of Directors, was an enthusiastic member of the Cypress Singers, and produced several plays with participation from Cypress residents. He survived by his daughters, Shelli Ann Wilson and husband William, of Hartsville SC; Kerri Lynn Bridges and husband Todd of Raleigh; Robbi Kay Ott and husband Michael of Charlotte; and son Brian Robert Ballantyne of Cary, NC. Grandchildren are Emily and Margaret Wilson, Cameron and Claire Bridges, Haelli and Madison Ott. A memorial service will be held at 2:00p, January 27 at Sharon Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. A reception will follow at the church, and there will also be a reception at the Cypress of Charlotte at 5pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte NC 28210; CPCC Foundation Performing Arts, PO Box 35009, Charlotte, NC 28235-5009; Discovery Place Nature, 1658 Sterling Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209; or the charity of your choice. Family condolences may be sent to Kerri Bridges, 3513 Timberwood Ct, Raleigh NC 27606. Arrangements are in care of Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service of 111 East Boulevard, Charlotte 28203.