Robert Patrick Alexander

Robert Patrick Alexander, affectionately known as “Robert” by his mother and family, “Alex” by his Cardinal Brennan classmates, “Bob” by his friends, colleagues and students in the South, and as “Big” for everyone that knew him for he was big in stature and had a big personality. Bob passed away suddenly Monday at his home in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Born in Aberdeen, MD, he was the son of the late James H. Alexander and Ursaline “Manfredi” Alexander Fitzpatrick of Ashland. The education community has lost a great teacher, mentor and friend. Bob was an educational specialist for English language arts with the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Prior to joining the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools, Bob served as an education consultant with Pattan, (the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network), part of the PA Department of Education; He also served as secondary English language arts education consultant with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction before moving back home to PA for a short while. A native of Schuylkill County, Bob was a 1982 graduate of the former Cardinal Brennan Jr./Sr. High School, Fountain Springs. He then attended college at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on a football scholarship, where he established himself as an award winning scholar athlete, excelling both in the classroom and on the athletic field. Bob received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from East Carolina University (B.S. in English, 1987 and MA Ed, 1995) After graduation and during a 20 year tenure in the classroom, Bob served as an English teacher and coach at J. H. Rose High School in Greenville, NC, where he taught all grades and all levels of English and English electives. Bob was also English department chair and member of the schools leadership team for a number of years. Also, he completed National Board Certification in adolescent and young adult English language arts in November of 2000. A journeyman educator and student, Bob Alexander has instructed courses at Pitt, Beaufort and Edgecombe Community Colleges in North Carolina, and he has also worked as an adjunct at East Carolina University. Bob also served on the board of the North Carolina English Teachers Association as regional director. Bob, also, was a fellow of the Coastal Plains Writing Project, a site of the national writing project that existed in the late 90s and which is now known as the Tar River writing project. He was a writer and shared his talents of storytelling through his blog, The Big Blog: A blog on education, observations and life. In addition, he is a member of the National Paideia faculty representing the National Paideia Center in Asheville, NC. A lifelong learner, teacher and coach, Bob described himself as “a humble servant of the people.” Bob was preceded in death by his father James Alexander in 1970 and step-father William Fitzpatrick in 2010. He is survived be his beloved mother, Mrs. Ursaline Fitzpatrick, Ashland, the mother of his children, Mrs. Joan Alexander, and his 3 beautiful children, Joan Alexis, Anthony James and Caroline Elizabeth Alexander, all of Greenville, NC. His cherished partner, Ms. Jennifer Sharpe and her children Scarlett Anne and Langely Irvin Salter at home; many aunts, uncles and cousins. An account has been established for the benefit of the Alexander children. Contributions can be sent and made payable to First Citizens Bank, 1005 Redbanks Road, Greenville, NC 27858 Reference: Alexander Children Fund. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday in St. Josephs Catholic Church in Frackville. Friends may call at the church Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until time of mass. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. A memorial service celebrating Bobs life will be held Friday November 21, 2014 at 11 a.m. in St. Peters Catholic Church in Greenville, North Carolina. Memorial Location Not Available Friday 11/21, 11:00 am