A Life Well Spent – Robert “Bob” Hege III

In my career I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s most influential people of the last two generations. Men who have built, shaped and molded the forest products industry. Bob Hege was just such a man. Where some accomplished great things by force of will, Bob did it with grace, patience and planning. In nearly thirty years of marketing work with Bob on behalf of Meadows Mills, Miner Edger and Andrus Sharpeners, I never recall a cross word. Bob always insisted on honest, straight forward ads that took the high road and never assailed his competition.


Like most influential people, Bob’s life was one of service to others. He gave himself to much more than just business, but to his family, country and community. He served in the US Army, attaining the rank of captain and received an Association of American States Commendation Medal. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Bob was an avid Wolfpack fan and served as president of the NCSU Alumni Association. In May 2017, Bob was honored to be inducted into the Wilkes County Hall of Fame where he held numerous service and leadership positions, including director of the Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce, North Wilkesboro Kiwanis Club, Wilkes United Way, Wilkes ADAP and Wells Fargo Wilkes County Advisory Board.


He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in North Wilkesboro. Supporting educational efforts in the community was a passion that included support for the College of Arts and Science Advancement Council at Appalachian State University and Wilkes Community College.


The one thing that mattered more than career and community involvement was family and friends. He is survived by his devoted wife and partner of 29 years, June Hege, of North Wilkesboro; his son Brian and spouse Alison, of Wilkesboro, and their children Luke Evan Hege and Lila Rose Hege; step-son Mark Adams and spouse Carolyn of Chapel Hill, and their children Wyatt and Silas. He is also survived by his brothers and their families: Dan Hege and spouse Libby; Thom Hege and spouse Harriet; Ben Hege and spouse Johnsie; Len Hege and spouse Lynne, all of Arcadia, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert A. Hege Jr and Diana DeLapp Hege, and his granddaughter Makayla Sue Hege.