Robert Brown Sayre, 89, died peacefully in his home at Kendal at Lexington, Virginia on April 7, 2021.
Born on April 5, 1932 in Beckley, W.Va., to Floyd M. Sayre and Winifred Lynch Sayre, he was a proud member of the Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1949. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1953 with a B.S. degree and then enrolled in law school there, earning a law degree in 1957.
After being drafted while in law school he served as a first lieutenant, United States Army, as an adviser to the Chinese National Army on Taiwan.
After law school he returned to Beckley to join his father and brother in the practice of law with the family firm. He continued in active practice until 2014, a total of 57 years.
In 1962 he married Margaret Robertson James, who survives him.
Robert was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Truman L. Sayre and Floyd M. Sayre Jr.; and two infant children, a stillborn son in 1963 and 11-day-old Robert B. Sayre Jr. in 1967; and two brothers-in-law, William A. James III and Dr. Charles A. Beasley.
Always very active in community affairs, he served as president of the Beckley Area Foundation, Beckley Rotary Club, the Raleigh County Historical Society, Friends of the Raleigh County Library, Raleigh County Bar Association and the Flat Top Lake Association. He represented the New River Gorge National River as a member of the National Park Service Mid Atlantic Regional Council for several years.
He was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church while living in Beckley and transferred his membership to Grace Episcopal Church after moving to Lexington.
Having served as district governor of Rotary International District in 1995-1996, Robert was an avid supporter of Rotary clubs in both Beckley and Lexington.
He was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1996 to 1997. He was a fellow of the West Virginia Bar Foundation, past president of the Raleigh County Bar Association and a member of the West Virginia Bar. Serving as a judge on the West Virginia Court of Claims 2004-2011 was his final service in the legal profession.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; a daughter, Frances Sayre (Marc Beyer) of Santa Fe, N.M.; a son, Dr. William J. Sayre (Melissa) of Lexington; five grandchildren, William R. McLean, Matthew C. Dewitt, William J. Sayre Jr., Isabella (Ella) M. Sayre and Lillian B. Sayre; two step-grandchildren, Ava and Stelly Crocker; one brother, Graham E. Sayre; one brother-in-law, John B. James; three sisters-in-law, Nora Sayre, Ruth Sayre and Mary James; several nephews and a niece.
Robert was a kind, loving and generous man devoted to his family and the practice of law and would want to be remembered as one who left the world a better place by having lived in it.
The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice or to the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, but will be announced. Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.
