Robinson Gaylord

Robinson Gaylord, 92, died peacefully on Thursday, October 16, 2014 after a long, happy and productive life. A resident of Givens Estates, the former textile manufacturer was an avid outdoorsman, golfer, skier, hunter and fly fisherman. He also was an amateur photographer, painter and accomplished bridge player. Rob was born in Winsted CT on August 23, 1922 to parents Bessie and Robert Gaylord. He was a 1941 graduate of the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT. and was a member of the 1945 graduating class at Yale College. He had a great affection for both schools and remained life-long friends with his classmates. He was a veteran of the US Navy having served in the Pacific aboard a minesweeper at the close of WWII. In 1964, as president of the Winchester Spinning Company, Rob relocated the company (originally started as the Winsted Hosiery Company in 1881) and his family from Winsted, CT to Asheville. The company was eventually sold to Fieldcrest Mills. Rob worked for Ruth Originals of Hendersonville before moving to Asheboro and taking a position with Stedman Manufacturing Co. for fifteen years. He retired to Biltmore Forest in 1987. A consummate New Englander, he also greatly loved his adopted southern town. He was a member of the Biltmore Forest Country Club, as well as member and usher of All Souls Episcopal Church. Rob was a lifelong Rotary member and past president starting in Winsted, CT to Asheville and Asheboro, NC. Rob was a member and past President of the Brookside Farm Association, a private, family club begun by his grandfather in 1904 where Rob and Polly vacationed each summer at the family cabin. Always on the trail of a fishing or photography opportunity, he and Polly traveled extensively during his retirement years. He especially enjoyed his newfound hobby of oil painting and was a member of the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Polly. As a devoted family man, Rob enjoyed nothing more than gatherings which included his four children: Sarah Decker and her husband, John of McLean, VA; Tim Gaylord and his wife, Leslie of Wilmington, NC; Sylvia DiPrisco and her husband, Joe of Jackson Hole, WY and Elizabeth Griffin and her husband, Phil of Louisville, CO and by eight grandchildren, Alex and Amanda Griffin, Matthew and Alice Gaylord, Michael DiPrisco and his wife, Ashley, Charlotte DiPrisco, Elise and Claire Griffin. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Beckett and Harper DiPrisco. The family plans a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 31st, 2014 at The Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan St., Asheville, NC. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, 72 Long Shoals Road, Arden, NC 28704 (828-687-3530) is handling the arrangements for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Rotary Club of Asheville Scholarship Fund, 31 College Pl, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-3035.