From the Commercial Appeal: February 2004

OLIVE BRANCH - Robert L. Robey, 71, retired administrator and principal of Memphis City Schools after 30 years, died Monday at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto in Southaven. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Memphis. Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch has charge. He was a World War II Army veteran, a graduate of the University of Memphis and a member of Olive Branch Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Union City (Tenn.) High School Hall of Fame. He leaves a daughter, Sonya Anton of Olive Branch; two sons, Alan Robey of Memphis and David Robey of California; a sister, Clara Mae McIlwan of Union City, and seven grandchildren. The family requests that any memorials be sent to Olive Branch Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Roby waited till third period when everyone had time to get seated and came on the
intercom, and announced "Would Don Putman, and Allen Prescott come to
the office"?

As we wandered the hallway Allen and I were trying to remember
what we had done wrong this time. Roby met us at his office door, introduced
his 6 ft 6 inch self, and handed us a 3-day in home suspension notice. We
asked him why, and his reason was "If everything I have been hearing is even
half true, I am going to teach you boys a lesson early on!" Roby had only
been there maybe 3-4 hours, and had heard a lot about our past in that short
of time. God Rest Your Soul Roby-we still love you.

Don Putman
Class of 1970

I was sorry to hear about Mr. Robey. I remember him giving me a break
one day. I had third period typing with Miss Townsend and lunch after her class. I normally headed for my car parked across from the teachers' parking lot. I would usually get a burger and go by my house to pick up my gym bag for basketball or baseball practice. On an occasion or two Miss Townsend would ask if I would pick up a burger for her. I'm still not sure how she knew, or if I confessed to her during a weak moment. I had a study hall after lunch, so I was never in a rush to get back. Well, one day upon returning to school I was entering the boys gym outer doors when out steps Mr. Robey. He says, "hello Keith, been to get your bag?" "Yes sir", I said. Along with my bag I was carrying Miss Townsend's burger. "Well go ahead and get into the building." he said. I just knew I was dead, but he didn't push it. I delivered Miss Townsend's burger still puzzled. I often wondered if he knew of my daily lunch plans from Miss Townsend. I'll have to ask her. All I know is that he could have nailed me and I would have been taking a paddling since athletes weren't allowed to sit out detention
after school. I hurt just thinking about him hovering over me with
that paddle! Whew!! Thanks Mr. Robey.

Keith Gray

From: classmates.com From: Emily Williams 1980 Feb 2 2004 8:58:30AM
To: Marsha Terry 1971
(2) Mr. Robey (in reply to 1)

Thanks for the info. That was Mr. Robey. He had suffered from Parkinson's disease for a long time. It does not indicate what he actually died from, but I would assume it was complications from the Parkinson's

From: classmates.com From: Gary Harrison 1972 Feb 6 2004 4:13:14PM
To: Emily Williams 1980
(3) Mr. Robey (in reply to 2)

sorry to hear of his passing.he was a good man and he could swing a paddle with the best of them.

From: Jimmy BurkMr. Robey did have some CompassionMr Robey did have a Heart.I was deaf in my left ear thru high school, so I couldn't hear well sometimes. I skipped Lunch one day and headed to the locker room in the gym to do some homework.. I didn't hear the first bell, so I was 15 minutes late to the next class ....Ms Ruth Bridger's Class.Instead of letting me go into the class and sit down,,she told me that I would have to go to the PRINCIPAL's office to be Disciplined. She seemed scared of the Head office but SOMEONE in the Office had gotten all the teachers together and gave them an Edict or Curse to send Tardy students to the office,,, under penalty of the Teachers being Sanctioned. She said she hated to do it, but I had to go, and she hoped they wouldn't be too hard on me.SO, OFF to the Principals office I went. I got to the Office and they sent me to Mr. Robey, whom I knew had a big Paddle. He looked at me and harshly said, 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!!!'; I told him what happened and he again harshly said 'GET OUT OF HERE!!', 'Burks DON'T GET IN Trouble'; and YOU Tell HER NOT TO SEND YOU HERE AGAIN!!!!...'

SO, Back to the class I went which was almost over. After Class she asked what type Discipline I got. I told her none, and they didn't want to ever see me there again. She looked totally relieved,,,but I could tell that she FEARED SOMEONE in the Head Office......