Robert "Bob" Prentiss Asbury
Robert “Bob” Prentiss Asbury Jr., of Radford, Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, at the age of 87.
Bob was born on September 25, 1938, in Bluefield, West Virginia. He attended Radford High School, where he met his future wife, Carol Copko, and graduated in 1957. He went on to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), where he participated in the cooperative education program with Appalachian Power and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Business.
Following graduation, Bob began a career in public administration that reflected his lifelong commitment to public service and community development. He first served as superintendent of the City of Radford’s Water and Electric Department, a role he held for three years. He later served as city manager in Mount Holly, North Carolina, and Elizabethton, Tennessee.
In 1979, Bob returned to Radford as city manager, a position he held for more than two decades until his retirement in 2002, becoming one of the longest-serving city managers in the city’s history. During his tenure, he played a key role in guiding Radford through periods of growth and change, helping lead initiatives in economic development, infrastructure planning, and regional cooperation.
Bob was also deeply involved in regional efforts to strengthen collaboration among local governments. He helped coordinate planning among counties and cities throughout the New River Valley and was a founding board member of the New River Resource Authority (NRRA), which serves communities across the region. He continued to represent the City of Radford on the NRRA board until his passing.
Bob married his high school sweetheart, Carol, in 1960. Together they shared 66 years of marriage and raised three sons. Much of their life was spent in Radford, where Carol taught in Radford City Schools. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He cared deeply about his family and friends.
Bob loved the outdoors and found joy and peace in fly fishing. A skilled fly tier, he enjoyed teaching the craft of fly fishing to others, especially his sons. During his years in Tennessee, he developed a deep appreciation for the Watauga River and became a strong advocate for protecting and promoting the river and its trout fishery. Throughout his life, he remained a passionate supporter of conserving natural resources, wildlife, and habitat.
Bob was also an accomplished golfer and recorded five holes-in-one over the course of his playing years.
Bob is survived by his wife, Carol Copko Asbury of Radford, Virginia; his sons, Maj. Robert P. Asbury III, USAF (Ret.) (Eileen) of Yorktown, Virginia, John C. Asbury (Wendy) of Richmond, Virginia, and Scott C. Asbury (Jennifer) of Niwot, Colorado; his granddaughters, Jessica Asbury Versaw (Ryan), Julie Asbury, and Audrey Asbury; and his great-granddaughters, Adelaide Versaw and Vera Versaw.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert P. Asbury Sr. and Ivy P. Asbury.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, Virginia.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Radford, Virginia.
In place of flowers, donations may be made to: Robert P. Asbury and Carol C. Asbury Public Service Scholarship, Radford High School, P.O. Box 2823, Radford, Virginia 24143, https://www.radfordhighschoolfoundation.org/donate or Trout Unlimited, www.tu.org
Bob will be remembered for his quiet dedication to public service, his love of animals and the outdoors, his devotion to family, and the many lives he touched through his leadership, mentorship, and friendship. His legacy lives on in the communities he served and in the family he cherished. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.
The Asbury family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com
