Robert Thomas “Bob” Herrington of Chapel Hill and Cary, 84, passed away on January 10, 2016 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. He was born in Galveston, Texas on August 11, 1931 to the late COL and Mrs. Russel McKee Herrington.
As part of a military family, Dr. Herrington lived in many places across the United States including Washington, DC, California, Oregon and finally Spokane, WA where he graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. He was a 1953 graduate of the Citadel in Charleston, SC and a 1957 graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. After medical school, Dr. Herrington came to UNC as a pediatric resident from 1957 to 1959 followed by two years as a fellow in pediatric cardiology. In 1962, he left UNC to serve for four years in the U.S. Air Force. In 1966, upon completion of his military obligation, he returned to UNC for two years of additional fellowship training and subsequently joined the faculty in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology.
Over the next 25 years, Dr. Herrington was a respected member of the UNC Department of Pediatrics. A dedicated clinician, he served as a Director of the outpatient pediatric clinics at UNC, established the interdisciplinary Birth Defects Clinic, and played a prominent role in developing, and staffing pediatric cardiology outreach clinics across the state through the Area Health Education Centers. He was a respected mentor and teacher who was twice awarded the medical school’s Residency Teaching Award, and the annual Herrington Leadership Conference for pediatric residents was named for him in recognition of his teaching and leadership contributions. Perhaps most importantly, he was a faithful and passionate advocate for his many patients and their families.
Dr. Herrington was a long time member of the Church of the Holy Family where he served on the vestry numerous times. He was also a loyal supporter of many charitable organizations. Over the years his amiable demeanor, mischievous sense of humor and gentle manner earned him many wonderful friends in Chapel Hill and around the country.
Dr. Herrington will be lovingly remembered by his wife Joy Pierce Herrington; his son David and wife Deirdre of Winston-Salem, NC and their children Daniel and Kristen; his son Robert and wife Bonny of Raleigh, NC and their son Russel; and his daughter Carson Herrington and husband Peter VanderPoel of Arlington, VA and their children Frederick and Lila VanderPoel. He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Margaret McLeod Herrington (1932 – 2000); his daughter Kristen Adel Herrington (1957-1963); and his brother Col Russel McKee Herrington Jr. (1920 – 2014)). He will also hold a special place in the hearts of Brooks Pierce and wife Kristen of Hyattsville, MD and their children Alex, Rose, and Lucas; Laura Pierce Smith and her husband Travis of Clayton, NC; and Wesley Pierce of Durham, NC and his children Emily and Cole.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Holy Family, 200 Hayes Road, Chapel Hill, on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Habitat for Humanity of Orange County or the Church of the Holy Family.
Posted in: The News and Observer
Posted on: 2016-01-12
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsobserver/obituary.aspx?n=robert-thomas-herrington-bob&pid=177249133#sthash.31JehCiV.dpuf