Robert H. "Tripp" Owen, III
April 15, 1963 ~ June 28, 2016
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Robert Harrison Owen, III, "Tripp", passed away on Tuesday, June 28 after a courageous struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
Never complaining about his condition, he enjoyed visits from his many friends, who each had their own special nickname that he had given them. His exceptional wit and infectious grin attracted many to him – he never met a stranger.
He was the son of June Myers Owen and Dr. Robert H. Owen, Jr. In addition to his parents, Tripp is survived by two brothers, Scott Owen and Gregg Owen, Gregg's daughter, Camryn Owen and other extended family.
Growing up in Asheville, Tripp attended St. Genevieve/Gibbons Hall and graduated from T.C. Roberson High School. Tripp was a graduate of Elon University and the Wake Forest School of Law. He served as a public defender for several years and later in private practice in Asheville. He enjoyed skeet and target shooting and roaming through the woods with his dog Wally on the family farms in Canton and Maggie Valley.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ALS Association, 4 N. Blount St., #200, Raleigh, NC 27601.
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Tripp made the best of everything. A dear lifelong friend; he will be very missed. Much love to the family.
You are a also a life long friend at least in my memories. Tripp was a very special person to so many. I hope we can stay in touch.
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Tripp on several occasions. He will be missed by the Buncombe County Bar.
I send my condolences to all the family.
What a huge loss to Asheville and the Kenilworth community. A special person.
Things won’t be the same without Tripp around to keep us laughing and seeing the goodness. He was a great friend and an inspiration to work with. When he put his lawyer hat on, magic happened and he was a remarkable support to his clients and Asheville. Too soon gone. Love to family. It’s been a long haul. So glad he is resting in the arms of Grace. This I know from many talks with him.
I’ll always remember Tripp as a sweet, kind soul who was always quick to laugh! Shared lots of fun times with him and Jill back in ‘the day’! RIP ‘Big Poppa’…..glad you are no longer suffering! Prayers to your family and friends who will dearly miss you.
Always smiling; like the picture above. We did not cross paths often but when we did it was my pleasure.
Such a loss at only 53. I shared many fond memories with Tripp when he was with the public defender back in the 1990s. He will be missed.
Tripp was a great guy and a good buddy. Didn’t see him often, but always shared a word and a laugh. We shared some tough times. He was a brave man and I was proud to be his friend. May he rest in Peace and rise in Glory.
I am deeply sadden by the news of Tripp. I loved Tripp, we sent many, many hours together. I cannot go downtown or many places in fact that does not remind me of Tripp.
He did not want to live like that and the obituary was correct in saying that he never complained about his illness.
I will forever miss him! He was a very loyal friend and everybody that knew him will say the same thing about him.
Rest in peace, Trippie
Ellen
There are really no words to describe the magnitude of the loss. Tripp was a good man, too good to lose. The world is a poorer place.
Tripp was a champion of justice and a true friend. He will be missed.
Loss of a dear friend of 30+ years, my mind is flooded with wonderful memories. You are missed. Deepest sympathy and prayerful thoughts for the family.
What a loss it is, we will miss Tripp’s good nature attitude and brilliant mind, Good Bye I know your in a better place.
Always ready with that quick wit. Always smiling and never down or discouraged. What a blessing that I could call Tripp my friend!
I’m so sorry June.You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
Such a great void is left for Bryan and me with Tripp’s passing. We are so very grateful to have the honor of being friends with him. Even through the sadness we both are feeling now, we both have so very many fond and funny memories that we must hold tight to and never forget. I loved seeing how happy he was here on the farm! Tripp, you will always have a place in our hearts…rest well …..
I am so, so sorry. Tripp left this world way too soon.
I pray for all of his family and friends, that a peace that
truly passeth all human understanding, be with you all.
Gregg, Scott and Family so very sorry for your loss. We are praying for peace and comfort for all! Thinking of you all during this most difficult time.
Vanessa and Paul
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. So very sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. I knew Tripp when we were very young and didn’t know about his illness. Praying to the family and hope that wonderful memories will bring you some comfort.
What a treasure to be his friend. A beautiful soul has transcended. Love, peace and prayers for the family and all hearts Tripp has touched.
Gregg and Scott, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Haven’t seen you in a while, but seems like yesterday. You all are great guys and I know you miss Tripp.
So many memories…from the smiling kid Tripp was, when I was in elementary school, to the friend and confidant Tripp became over the last 10 years. He had such a beautiful spirit & gentle soul. To Scott, Gregg & Dr. & Mrs. Owen, our thoughts and prayers will certainly be with you! Tripp blessed so many of our lives. Rest well in God’s arms, Tripp! Blessings!
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. May the family find comfort in Revelation 21:3,4; and in fond memories shared with family and friends.
May theblessings of Tripp’s angels comfort his loved ones and family. I respected him and valued his friendship. He will be missed and remembered.
June, We are thinking of you, and will continue to, at what I know is a difficult and heartbreaking time. May God’s peace surround you.
Our prayers go out to your family at this difficult time and pray you guys find peace knowing Tripp isn’t suffering anymore and Is Heaven .
Dear Bob and family…our deepest condolences for the passing of your beloved son…Tripp. We were business neighbors right across the hall from each other in Doctors Park. Though not a lot of interface, the times we did shortly chat, it was always pleasant. We will miss the cheerful ‘good morning’ to each other. Our prayers and thoughts are we you and the family during this most difficult time. God Bless you and the family…Tripp in now in God’s hands resting peacefully in Heaven.
Tripp will be greatly missed at the courthouse. He was a pleasure to work with. I always enjoyed talking to him and will miss his easy smile!
My prayers and sympathy go to the loving family of Tripp Owen.
Neil Thagard
Neil K’s Hairstyling
So sorry to read of Tripp’s passing. I remember a fun, kind and generous kid in high school. My condolences to his family and friends.
I remember Trip. He was always a good guy! My condolences to the family and friends.
June and family ‘Our heartfelt condolences to you during this time of sorrow. You’re in our thoughts and prayers and I’m here for whatever you need.’
I never met Tripp, but I am so sorry for you family’ loss. I am a second or third cousin who was delivered in 1948 by Dr. Robert Owen ……my mother was Violet Owen Bramlett…..she loved your family…God bless you all….Melinda Bramlett Joyner
My condolences go out to Tripps family, I only knew him for a short time unfortunately it was during his illness but I have only heard good things about him. He always had a smile when I came to take care of him, his eyes would light up the room. He will truly be missed . Rest in peace, Tripp
We were so sad to hear of your loss. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
Tripp was such a kind and funny guy. He will be dearly missed by so many.
Tripp and Wally were good neighbors and we miss them! Our deep sympathy on your loss.
I just read about Tripp’s passing in the Bar Association email. I am so sorry. We were in law school together at Wake Forest and I was able to have lunch with him in Asheville when I made a trip there for court years ago. Such a great guy. He will be missed.
I just learned of Tripp’s passing. We went through school together, and he was a good friend, but I hadn’t seen him in many years. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing, and extend my most sincere condolences and sympathy to his parents and brothers. May God comfort you in your grief with the promise that there is a better life beyond this one where we’ll meet those we’ve loved and lost again. And safe voyaging to Paradise, my friend!
You were my soulmate. For years your mom tried to get us together. I guess she knew. Seeing you in the last years of your life and when my father died was catastrophic. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better friend. I tried to be. I hear you laughing when I write this. From when we camped on the Appalachian trail when we were young, there is so much about real people no one understands. It meant so much to tell me that you agreed when I made the decision when we should leave the trail after being in a snow storm in May and rain and all of our tents and shoes were wet and there was no path. I was young and made a decision for us all. And it was a difficult evacuation then. But we survived. I always felt guilty for doing the right thing and to save us. And I thought maybe we should tough it out and go on. But our supplies were depleted. All of the sleeping bags and tents were soaked. I still remember this decision like yesterday. I made it knowing people would hate me. But, the reality was we were not prepared for these climate conditions. The statistics of good against bad far outwayed the bad if we stayed. But I was maybe 14 or maybe younger. Finally after so many years you confirmed I did the right thing. Wow!!! After 40 years you remembered and released my from my pain as a young child trying to do the right thing.
I probably shouldn’t be signing your guestbook tonight. Then again, you were a huge part of my life. And in the end you helped me. I will always love and miss you. If you want to pop in from the other side I will be listening and waiting. I need a laugh and guidance.
Sorry I said too much. I will always love and miss you. Please show up for me. I know you are there.
M-