WILMINGTON — Robert Richard Ledbetter, Ph.D., 86, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, at his home in the presence of his devoted wife, Edythe.
A native of Winder, Ga., Dr. Ledbetter served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After his discharge, Dr. Ledbetter made his home in the Washington, D.C., area where he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Maryland. Following his studies, he taught English literature to generations of college and high schools students. He and Edythe retired to Wilmington in 1998. He was a loyal member of the Wilmington YMCA, whose members provided good fellowship. He, along with his wife, were parishioners at St. Andrew’s On-the-Sound Episcopal Church, where he was a member of the Men’s Spiritual Formation Group.
He is survived by his wife, Edythe; beloved son, Erik; daughter-in-law Lynn, and grandson, Owen, of Rockville, Md.; brother, Harold Joe Ledbetter of Winder, Ga.; sister-in-law, Violet Bloomer, and niece, Jennifer Bloomer, of Wilmington; and numerous other sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews scattered throughout the United States.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at St. Andrew’s On-the-Sound with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Wilmington YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina, P.O. Box 3469, Wilmington, NC 28406.
Share online condolences with the family at wilmingtoncares.com.
