Robert Lee Winstead
Robert Lee Winstead, of Salem, Va., passed away peacefully at home on July 9, 2024, with his family at his side. He was 86.
People knew him as Bob, Bobby, and Big Bob. To us, he was Dad; and he was the defining person in our lives. Bob was a man of character who lived by his own moral code of right and wrong. Cross Bob Winstead and fear the consequences! Earn his friendship and he was a friend for life. He taught his kids right from wrong, to be “givers” and not “takers”, and to always take care of family.
Bob was born in Columbia, South Carolina on July 13, 1937. He grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia. Bob received his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. He earned his MBA from Columbia University, graduating in 1961. While at Columbia, Bob met the love of his life, Marie Tripodi. They were married for 61 years.
Bob was an entrepreneur at heart. He successfully owned and operated Salem Appliance Center (“Bob says: Why pay more at some other store!”), the Malibu Restaurant in Salem, and The Blue Marlin Motel in Virginia Beach. Bob established himself as a respected community figure, Board Member at Hidden Valley Country Club, and a founding shareholder of Salem Bank and Trust.
Bob loved the sun and the beach. His ownership of the Blue Marlin Motel allowed his family many summers in Virginia Beach - swimming, boating, crabbing, and running the business as a family. He loved to ski in the winter and took his family to Snowshoe and Wintergreen several times each year so we could share his love of the sport. He was an avid golfer and was much better than he led on. He played golf and tennis year-round and developed many friendships around these sports. He loved his Dewars at 5:00 p.m., and his alma mater - the University of Virginia. Bob also loved NYC. He took us to Broadway, to see the Rockettes, and to ride the scary subway in the 1970’s - advising us to always look at our feet. Most importantly, Bob loved his family. His is the definition of unconditional love.
The close-knit family Bob and Marie nurtured grew to include four sons-in-law, thirteen grandchildren, two grand-spouses, and one adored great-grandchild. Bob played a pivotal role in the lives of not only his children, but also his grandkids, nieces and nephews. Bob's legacy of love, strength, and dedication lives on through each of them.
He leaves behind a family that will forever cherish his memory and strive to live up to the remarkable example he set. As we say goodbye, we celebrate the beautiful life of a truly extraordinary man.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers the family would request donations be made to the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Salem, Virginia Health Care System (658) at https://www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online/ Condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.
