Dr. Robert Cecil McAdams, Ph.D.

Dr. Robert Cecil McAdams, Ph.D., age 75, born January 17,1949 died on May 31, 2024 from Neuroendocrine Cancer at Grace Ridge Skilled Care under the loving care of the Nursing Staff and Amorem Hospice nurses.

“If only all of us had the power of self to have lived as he did. A beautiful soul who cared for you and family, for the earth, for his mule, for his students, for others with such intention and clarity.” (Regarding Robert McAdams by poet Jeffery Beam)

From his maternal Cecil heritage, Robert became an educator, a revered and honored teacher for 38 years. With a degree in Art Education from Atlantic Christian College, he taught art in Wilson City Schools. With a Master in History Education from Appalachian State University and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Tennessee, he taught art, humanities, and history in Burke County. During his last 20 years of teaching at East Burke High School, he became a Nationally Certified teacher, and retired in 2009. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for service to NC education. A scholarship in his name is awarded at Western Piedmont Community College.

From his paternal McAdams farming heritage in Anderson County, SC, he became a farmer and gardener of small holdings, always cultivating his fields with mule, push-plow, or hoe. Canning and freezing his harvest, cooking and heating primarily with wood, he lived a back-to-earth lifestyle. While in his 20s, he apprenticed two farmers who worked with mules and worked with several Pennsylvania Amish families during a Fall harvest. He worked rented small farms until buying his farm in Morganton. His affinity for farming grew and always remained a deep love until his last garden planting on May first this spring.

Robert was predeceased by his parents, Robert Millard and Jean Cecil McAdams, and his sister Barbara McAdams Clark.

He is survived by brother John Neal (Donna) McAdams of Bend, Oregon, sister Margaret Helen McAdams (Dennis Deane) of Valdese, North Carolina, nephews Benjamin Robert McAdams of Seattle, Washington and Seth John McAdams of Bend, Oregon, niece Kathryn Clark Perez (Adrian Perez) of Genesco, Illinois, four great nieces, Charlotte Marilyn Guerra-McAdams, Zephyra Eleanor, Xiomara Elizabeth, and Alicia Socorro Perez, a great nephew David Benjamin Guerra-McAdams, and by his long time friends Donald Ray and Dian Dernoeden Morgan of Cornelius.

Robert was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Morganton. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 20, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church. Following the service, a reception will be held in the fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Robert C. McAdams Endowed Scholarship at Western Piedmont Community College or a charity of your choice.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with arrangements.