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Robert E. Bridges 1933-2021 Educator, Author, U.S. Army D r. Robert E. Bridges (Raleigh (NC) Alumni 1962) entered the Chapter Invisible on Sep- tember 12, 2021, at Hospice Systems into one, and oversaw unprecedented student growth. He was
and created his consulting firm, Education Initiatives. Bridges wrote his autobi- ography, From My Culture To The Mainstream … And Back Again. In 1989, He served as Provost at Saint Augustine’s University and chaired the North Carolina Advisory Commission on Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps. His impact on the community and the school system has been recognized throughout the years by
Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., where he led the chapter as its polemarch [1974-1976]. He was also a key leader and lifetime Capitol City Sertoma Club member. Brother Robert E. Bridges was preceded in death by his wife Hattie (née Hicks) Bridges, parents, Dewood Sr. and Neomia Bridges, sisters Bertha Merritt, Idella Degree, and brother Dewood Bridges, Jr. He is survived by daugther LaPonda (Reggie) Parker; son Dr. Randy (Vernetta) Bridges; four grandchil- dren, Dr. Randi (Breyon) Raynor, NC, Garrett (Janay) Bridges, Taylor (Tremayne) Higgins of Charlotte, and Kelsie Parker; five great grandchildren, Dezaya and Bryce Raynor, Grey and Nova Bridges, Parker Rae Higgins; one sister, Garenel Strickland of Shelby, NC, a special friend Dr. Ida Dark of Durham, NC and a host of other relatives and friends. ♦
also an active participant in implementing the school system’s magnet program and led the opening of the first year-round school. Aware of the need for African American male children to have men- tors and encouragement in achieving academic success, he created the non-profit Helping Hands Program, which placed mentors with children who could benefit from strong role models. Dr. Bridges “touched all the bases” he often said about his career. He ascended through the professional ranks as a teacher, coun- selor, principal, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent. He served as the first African American superintendent of the Wake County Public Schools during his final years before retirement. After retirement, Bridges continued promoting edu- cation through various roles
Home in Burlington, NC. He was born on December 16, 1933, the oldest child of Dewood Sr. and Neomia Ellis Bridges in Cherokee County, SC. He grew up in Shelby, NC, where he graduated from Camp High School as valedictorian. He earned a B.A. in elemen- tary education from Saint Augustine’s College (now University). He later earned an M.A. in education from North Carolina State Uni- versity and an Ed.D from Duke University. Bridges chose educa- tion as a profession and spent his entire career in Wake County. In 1984, he became the school system’s first African-American superintendent. During his twenty-nine-year career, Bridges helped integrate the schools of Wake County, participated in the merger of the Raleigh City and Wake County School
numerous awards and honors, including Rex
Health Board of Trustees, Wake Education Partner- ship Lifetime Achievement Award, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine (the highest civilian recognition given by the Governor of North Carolina), and the North Carolina School Board Association Super- intendent of the Year. He received the Jay Robinson Leadership Award and was inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame. Bridges was a member of the Raleigh (NC) Alumni
SUMMER 2024 ♦ THE JOURNAL 43
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