Robert David Barbour
May 7, 1951 ~ January 31, 2022
Born in:
Fayetteville, NC
Resided in:
Weaverville, NC
Robert David Barbour, known by most as David, died peacefully at his home in Weaverville, NC after a long illness on January 31, 2022. David was born in Fayetteville, NC on May 7, 1951 to the late Edmund F. Barbour and Nina Ruth (Saunders) Barbour.
David was a lifelong musician drumming for jazz and blues bands since age 14. He grew up in Fayetteville, NC and attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. David married Stephanie Ziobrowski and moved to Barnardsville, NC in 1993. As an avid animal and nature lover he enjoyed hiking with their dogs. He inherited a log cabin built in 1802, moved it to Ashe County, NC and restored it where he and his wife enjoyed many good times. David loved to read the newspaper with a cup of coffee then put his humanity, humor, insight and gentle wit into an editorial cartoon. He started a self-syndicated editorial cartoon business which he enjoyed for many years before using his master’s degree working as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for NC DHHS. David was a lifelong runner completing his goal of a marathon at age 60.
David is survived by his wife Stephanie Ziobrowski of Weaverville, NC, his sister Jean Bosserman (Phil) of Lawrenceville, GA, his brother John Barbour of Buford, GA, and his aunt in Morehead City, NC. Also many cousins, nephews and nieces.
Honoring David’s life of kindness to others and his wishes, his body is donated for medical research. There will be a celebration of life at a later time.
If desired, David would be honored by contributions in his memory to Memory Care, SECU Center for Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803. Memorycare.org.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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So sorry for your loss. David was one of the kindest people you could meet. He was a wonderful counselor and great person. God bless.
Peace be with you, Jo
I worked with David and played a little music with him too. Quiet, but witty. Hardworking with a servant’s heart. A gentleman and a gentle man. I have nothing but good thoughts about him.
So sorry to hear this Stephanie. Linda and David Brown
Our hearts go out to Stephanie and to David’s family.. ..My husband Rob Baskerville and I first met David when he auditioned for and took the position of drummer in the King Bees around 1990. We had wonderful times with David on the road as he added his musical magic to every show. It’s lovely to look back at our times making music; we treasure the recordings, pictures, and video that remind us of his talent and our great pleasure in collaborating with him. Everything came together in a delightful way when he married Stephanie, my dear friend since childhood, and our friendship deepened. We’ve been thinking about what a creative fellow David was and how he expressed so much humanity, humor, and insight in his cartoons. When he expressed political opinions in his art, he always did it with gentle wit, and Rob says, like a Southern gentleman. David was remarkable for his kindness and compassion, and for being a humble guy with countless gifts and abilities. It still amazes us that David and Stephanie took on the project of the cabin, and worked tirelessly to make it a beautiful, peaceful retreat that truly expresses their relationship. We’ll always remember our good times there with David and Stef. The couple operated happily in tandem to improve and beautify their homes; together they were enormously generous and gracious to us and other friends that they invited in. We’ll never forget the fun times with the Golden Retrievers and how Stef and David shared the deep love of those sweet boys. ..For us, true immortality lies in how others keep their memories alive, which all who love David will do. More than that, David will achieve immortality by helping others to live, as he does through his final donation to medical research.
Stephaine,
I am so so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna McElrath
Carrier Park Runners
His generosity, kindness, and warm personality was always there.
Our very deepest condolences to Steff and family.
So sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to Stephanie
I also had the pleasure of working with David at Voc Rehab and what a kind soul he was. Dave was always positive and lifted up those around him, making the office a better place to be. Stephanie, we’re thinking of you.
Mike & Debbie Turner
I met David in junior high school (Horace Sisk). Our friendship continued through high school, college and living at the farm for years. He was a great guy and true friend! The Farms Boys had more adventures than can be described in this post. Most people aren’t lucky enough to have all the “good times” we had and I will never forget them. We all had a dog or two. David had one named Rufus and and another named Fat Belly. We laughed, cried and just plain “grew up” together. David will be missed by many! I am so happy that he was a part of my life. The times we had together living at farm are legendary and I will never forget them. Larry D. Lean (Skinny)
I worked with David from 2008-2017 at the NC Dept of Vocational Rehabilitation in Asheville. He was a nice man and great mentor for me as I learned about policy. He was a very nice and steady presence in our office with never an unkind word for anyone. He will be truly missed.
We met David thru Stephanie and we loved how they were with each other. David was a quiet and gentle person who seemed to welcome everyone he met into his life. David always made us feel welcomed and we enjoyed the time we spent with him. He will be missed!
Jim & Jeanne
Our very deepest condolences to Steff
Justyna and Marek
I played guitar in David’s first band, from 1966 – 1969. We were in high school. He, I and four other guys all learned together, and it was the most fun I ever had with other people. I remember David fondly and am sad to hear he is gone.
David was the best.