Robert Copeland Hunter Jr

Robert Copeland Hunter, Jr. (Bobby) died on August 28, 2021 at the age of 69 after a sudden onset of COVID-19. He battled the disease for a week in the ICU of a local hospital, receiving every medical intervention available before passing away peacefully when all hope of recovery was lost.

Bobby is survived by two sisters, Mary Hunter Kuchar (Gregg) of Austin, TX and Anne Hunter Powell (Mike) of Athens, GA; seven nieces and nephews, Amy Powell, Ginny Blaylock (Ryan), Lt. Col. Hunter Powell (Brenda), Catherine Moats (Brian), Molly Roberts (Justin), Ashley Casaday (Will), and Spencer Powell; and several great nieces and nephews.

Bobby was born in Hendersonville, NC on May 2, 1952, the oldest of three children and the only son of Lena Virginia Hunter and Robert Copeland Hunter, Sr. He lived his entire life in Asheville graduating from T. C. Roberson High School. After high school, Bobby enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he proudly served his country with honor, retaining a life-long sense of brotherhood with his fellow Marines and all veterans.

Following his father into the automobile business, Bobby became a successful Asheville businessman as the Manager of the rental division of Parkland Corporation and their National Car Rental franchises. Along the way, he served in leadership roles on various boards and committees with National Car Rental. Bobby was a member of Arden Presbyterian Church.

Bobby was a die hard Carolina Tar Heels basketball fan and enjoyed watching NASCAR racing. He also enjoyed golf and was a longtime member of Biltmore Forest Country Club. But without a doubt, Bobby’s greatest love was for his seventeen-year-old Husky, Choo. Sadly, now that Bobby is gone, we know that Choo will be joining him soon. Above all, Bobby was a kind and gentle soul who was always eager to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. After retirement, he found enjoyment in working in an elderly housing complex before later moving closer to his aging parents in order to first assist his mother until she was institutionalized with Alzheimer’s Disease and then moving in with his father to allow him to stay in his home until his death last year. Bobby was a wonderful son, brother, uncle, and friend who had a good heart. He had his struggles in life, but weathered these with humility. Bobby will be missed by his friends and family.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: COVID 19 Relief, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, NC State Veterans Home, and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.