Doing it Stone’s way
Late Greenfield supporter gave time and efforts to Wilson
By Tom Ham
Senior Staff Writer
Greenfield School’s recent decision to rename its preseason varsity boys soccer tournament in honor of Dr. Robert T. (Bob) Stone comes across as a splendid gesture.
Maybe more tributes are to come.
Sadly, however, Bob Stone departed from our midst well before receiving richly deserved recognition.
But that was his way.
The ear, nose and throat specialist, the stout Greenfield supporter, the sports enthusiast and the pillar of his family and a pillar of this community died in late July after a lengthy battle with lymphoma involving his eye. Stone would have observed his 78th birthday on Oct. 20.
We understand his passion for and his importance to the Wilson community was immeasurable.
HIS BACKGROUND
Consider this individual was born in the Panama Canal Zone, where his father was stationed as an Army physician and spent much of his youth on the Walter Reed Hospital grounds. Note that Bob Stone graduated from Gilman School in Baltimore and from Yale University — with three letters in the sport of lacrosse.
He would later become interested in medicine and enroll in medical school at the University of Virginia. In Charlottesville, Stone married a nursing student, Francie, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before his death.
Soon after entering the medical realm, he would serve with the U.S. Army from 1970-72, was stationed in Vietnam and earned a Bronze Medal.
CHOSE WILSON
Despite this worldly background, Bob and Francie chose to locate in Wilson because it was ideal community to raise a family. His practice grew and he partnered with Dr. Alan (Chip) Satterly for 39 years.
Stone so cherished this community that he encouraged his sons to spend their adult lives here — and Russell, the second youngest of four, obliged.
His circle of friends was boundless.
“I don’t think you could find a nicer person in Wilson County,” expressed Ben Forbes, Stone’s friend and legendary soccer coach at Greenfield School. “I met him about the time he moved to Wilson and we were friends forever. He was as fine a person that ever lived.”
Forbes coached Stone’s youngest two sons, Russell and Roger.
NEVER COMPLAINED
Russell Stone proudly notes that he never heard his father complain. His criticism was constructive.
Rob, Richard, Russell and Roger were all accomplished athletes, but their father accepted favorable comments about them with humility and always stayed low-profile. Stone was the picture of perspective.
“He was as far from a braggart as you could get,” Forbes assured. “The reason the boys were so successful was he and Francie. They set high standards and (the boys) had to meet those standards. It was a fact of life in that household that academics came first.
“He didn’t scream, holler or stomp his feet. He would let you know how he felt, but he would do it in a gentlemanly way.”
Forbes spoke of Stone’s love for Greenfield and the Wilson community.
“He would do anything for athletes at other schools and did everything he could for athletes in Wilson and Wilson County,” Forbes continued.
STONE WAS THERE
Wherever his sons competed, Stone was there. Forbes chuckles and admits he liked to boast that he was the only coach in the state who had a doctor traveling with him.
“He was comforting to a lot of kids in his lifetime,” Forbes said. “He was just absolutely a phenomenal person.”
Leni Crook, a member of the Greenfield staff, describes Stone as “as fine a person as you will ever meet.”
Former Greenfield headmaster Janet Beamon concurs.
Clay Johnson, who formerly coached in Wilson County schools and is now associated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, echoes those sentiments.
Johnson became Stone’s valued friend the latter years.
“But he made everybody feel like a special friend,” Johnson explained. “He did so much for so many people that nobody ever knew about. That was just the way he was.”
Stone helped Johnson coach and was Johnson’s son Bennett’s first offensive coordinator. Johnson pointed out that Stone coached baseball at the Boys Club, helped at the Reid Street Community Center and added: “I can see him at the soccer fields.”
Yet, Johnson insists Stone’s love was baseball. He was an ardent Baltimore Orioles fan. Of the Orioles losing the wild-card game in the American League playoffs last week, Stone would probably shrug and commend them for at least reaching the playoffs.
SPRING TRAINING
Johnson and Stone chatted about possibly taking a spring training trip. Later, Johnson would sense a calling to do so. Now, he is at peace and grateful that it happened.
Stone, Johnson and Bobby Farris traveled to Tarpon Springs, Florida. The plan was to see the Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays in action. That didn’t work out, but the trio did view the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals.
Said Johnson, Stone, despite his physical condition, immensely enjoyed the trip and conversation had already begun about a 2017 trip.
Deeply missed, Stone leaves behind four sons in North Carolina and Alabama who are doctors of the highest esteem, a remarkable legacy and the Greenfield-influenced message: “A few people well led can accomplish great things.”
Johnson is among the countless so blessed his life’s path crossed with Stone’s route.
“Nothing flashy,” Johnson remembers, “but I found out what a good guy he was. He always made you feel like you were the main person he needed to see at that time. I don’t think people knew how awesome he was.”
This individual who ran and walked all over Wilson and so willingly filled the role of ambassador didn’t receive due recognition.
But many were aware of Stone’s abundance of deeds as overflow turnouts for visitation and the funeral will attest.
“He knew everybody,” Johnson said. “He thought Wilson was the greatest place on the earth. He might be right.”
Late Greenfield supporter gave time and efforts to Wilson
By Tom Ham
Senior Staff Writer
Greenfield School’s recent decision to rename its preseason varsity boys soccer tournament in honor of Dr. Robert T. (Bob) Stone comes across as a splendid gesture.
Maybe more tributes are to come.
Sadly, however, Bob Stone departed from our midst well before receiving richly deserved recognition.
But that was his way.
The ear, nose and throat specialist, the stout Greenfield supporter, the sports enthusiast and the pillar of his family and a pillar of this community died in late July after a lengthy battle with lymphoma involving his eye. Stone would have observed his 78th birthday on Oct. 20.
We understand his passion for and his importance to the Wilson community was immeasurable.
HIS BACKGROUND
Consider this individual was born in the Panama Canal Zone, where his father was stationed as an Army physician and spent much of his youth on the Walter Reed Hospital grounds. Note that Bob Stone graduated from Gilman School in Baltimore and from Yale University — with three letters in the sport of lacrosse.
He would later become interested in medicine and enroll in medical school at the University of Virginia. In Charlottesville, Stone married a nursing student, Francie, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before his death.
Soon after entering the medical realm, he would serve with the U.S. Army from 1970-72, was stationed in Vietnam and earned a Bronze Medal.
CHOSE WILSON
Despite this worldly background, Bob and Francie chose to locate in Wilson because it was ideal community to raise a family. His practice grew and he partnered with Dr. Alan (Chip) Satterly for 39 years.
Stone so cherished this community that he encouraged his sons to spend their adult lives here — and Russell, the second youngest of four, obliged.
His circle of friends was boundless.
“I don’t think you could find a nicer person in Wilson County,” expressed Ben Forbes, Stone’s friend and legendary soccer coach at Greenfield School. “I met him about the time he moved to Wilson and we were friends forever. He was as fine a person that ever lived.”
Forbes coached Stone’s youngest two sons, Russell and Roger.
NEVER COMPLAINED
Russell Stone proudly notes that he never heard his father complain. His criticism was constructive.
Rob, Richard, Russell and Roger were all accomplished athletes, but their father accepted favorable comments about them with humility and always stayed low-profile. Stone was the picture of perspective.
“He was as far from a braggart as you could get,” Forbes assured. “The reason the boys were so successful was he and Francie. They set high standards and (the boys) had to meet those standards. It was a fact of life in that household that academics came first.
“He didn’t scream, holler or stomp his feet. He would let you know how he felt, but he would do it in a gentlemanly way.”
Forbes spoke of Stone’s love for Greenfield and the Wilson community.
“He would do anything for athletes at other schools and did everything he could for athletes in Wilson and Wilson County,” Forbes continued.
STONE WAS THERE
Wherever his sons competed, Stone was there. Forbes chuckles and admits he liked to boast that he was the only coach in the state who had a doctor traveling with him.
“He was comforting to a lot of kids in his lifetime,” Forbes said. “He was just absolutely a phenomenal person.”
Leni Crook, a member of the Greenfield staff, describes Stone as “as fine a person as you will ever meet.”
Former Greenfield headmaster Janet Beamon concurs.
Clay Johnson, who formerly coached in Wilson County schools and is now associated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, echoes those sentiments.
Johnson became Stone’s valued friend the latter years.
“But he made everybody feel like a special friend,” Johnson explained. “He did so much for so many people that nobody ever knew about. That was just the way he was.”
Stone helped Johnson coach and was Johnson’s son Bennett’s first offensive coordinator. Johnson pointed out that Stone coached baseball at the Boys Club, helped at the Reid Street Community Center and added: “I can see him at the soccer fields.”
Yet, Johnson insists Stone’s love was baseball. He was an ardent Baltimore Orioles fan. Of the Orioles losing the wild-card game in the American League playoffs last week, Stone would probably shrug and commend them for at least reaching the playoffs.
SPRING TRAINING
Johnson and Stone chatted about possibly taking a spring training trip. Later, Johnson would sense a calling to do so. Now, he is at peace and grateful that it happened.
Stone, Johnson and Bobby Farris traveled to Tarpon Springs, Florida. The plan was to see the Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays in action. That didn’t work out, but the trio did view the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals.
Said Johnson, Stone, despite his physical condition, immensely enjoyed the trip and conversation had already begun about a 2017 trip.
Deeply missed, Stone leaves behind four sons in North Carolina and Alabama who are doctors of the highest esteem, a remarkable legacy and the Greenfield-influenced message: “A few people well led can accomplish great things.”
Johnson is among the countless so blessed his life’s path crossed with Stone’s route.
“Nothing flashy,” Johnson remembers, “but I found out what a good guy he was. He always made you feel like you were the main person he needed to see at that time. I don’t think people knew how awesome he was.”
This individual who ran and walked all over Wilson and so willingly filled the role of ambassador didn’t receive due recognition.
But many were aware of Stone’s abundance of deeds as overflow turnouts for visitation and the funeral will attest.
“He knew everybody,” Johnson said. “He thought Wilson was the greatest place on the earth. He might be right.”
