Robert (Bob) Hansel Plyler

Robert (Bob) Hansel Plyler, 68, of Asheville, NC, died unexpectedly, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 of a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm at Mission Hospital.  He was a native of Franklin, NC who moved to Asheville in 1959. Bob was the youngest son of William Frank Plyler (deceased April 4, 2006) and Alice Lorena Bennett (deceased Nov. 28, 2003).  His brother, Gary Michael Plyler, who died in 2005, was his first and longest partner in hunting, fishing, dog-loving and mischief.  He is survived by his eldest brother, William Frank Plyler, II.

       He met his spouse of 45 years, Anne Hartmann Benning Plyler, who survives him, in the seventh grade. 
       They lived as devoted soul mates, best friends, collaborators and confidants.  Bob also leaves three sons, 
       the joys of his life: Jonathan Matthew Plyler of Denver, NC, David William Plyler and Robert Andrew Plyler,
       of Asheville.  Bob’s three grandchildren, David Leslie Plyler and Joseph Andrew Plyler of Denver, NC and 
       Avery Plyler of Asheville were his pride and joy.   

His sons’ loves, Katrina Maiers, Amanda Plyler, and Stephanie Ferguson were his “adopted daughters”.  He delighted in them as much as they did in him. He absolutely loved his family.  He talked about them constantly. His daughter-in-law summed it up this way:
•I was loved by him
•He considered me his daughter 
•He was the crankiest, kindest soul I've ever known
•He told me the same stories over and over again even if I told him I heard them before 
•I witnessed that strong man cry with pride when he spoke of his sons
•He was there for me at any hour any time I needed him
•He had the best advice for me. He said all the right things when I needed to hear them 
•He was smart, funny and caring
•He was loud and spoke his mind
•I always said "I want to be Bob when I grow up" because he was confident, knew what he wanted and pretty much always got it
•He always told me everything would work out and "You done good"
•And, everything will work out and everyone that knew and loved him will continue to "do good"

Bob graduated from UNC- Asheville with a BA in Psychology, and pursued graduate studies at Western Carolina University in Psychology.   Bob was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1971 after 4 years of service, including a year’s tour of duty in Viet Nam.  He worked as an Air Traffic Controller, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He was a shift supervisor and the one called in for emergencies or when air traffic got really bad. He was cool and level headed amidst chaos in a high stress job.
Bob was the owner and Chief Instructor of Acumen Arms, where he taught firearms safety and tactical shooting.  He trained sportsmen, law enforcement officers and gun owners in the safe handling and use of guns.  He trained firearms instructors from all over the country, always with an emphasis on safety and acumen – quickness, accuracy and keenness of judgment and insight. Bob was a talented teacher and was considered a local authority on legal use of force.  He always advocated for restraint whenever possible and was adamant about common sense safety protocols both on and off the range.  His classes were spiced with humor, role playing, human interest stories and real life scenarios.
Bob developed a passion for the practice of Tai Chi.  He was Co-Owner and instructor for WNC Tai Chi for Health.   Over his lifespan he enjoyed a wide variety of interests and developed expertise in several fields.  After his Air Force tour he transitioned to Law Enforcement as Parole Officer for NC Parole Commission.  Later he became a licensed general contractor, a NC Realtor, an industrial salesman and a sales representative for Hilti tools.   Bob served as State Agency Director for Stewart Title Insurance Co. where he enjoyed traveling the state and “getting paid to play golf.”  Bob was a published writer, with one of his articles having been featured in Washington Golf Magazine where he described his experience of playing 100 different golf courses over a year’s time, focusing on the interesting people he met ( he never knew a stranger) and the technical aspects of each course.  On occasion he wrote poetry. He created, organized, and ran the first and several successive golf tournaments for ABCCM and for the Buncombe County Rescue Squad where he served on the Board of Directors.
Bob is a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Canton, NC and First Baptist Church, Asheville, NC.  During his youth and early adulthood, Bob attended Trinity Episcopal Church and Grace Episcopal Church in Asheville.  He served on the Vestry for 3 years at Grace, taught Sunday school at both churches, and coordinated the Episcopal Young Churchmen program at Trinity.  For many years Bob coached various youth sports, including baseball and soccer.  In college, he played soccer for UNC-Asheville.

Bob was an outspoken, and often passionate, advocate of many things.  Friends and strangers often sought him out for advice and counsel.  One young man told Bob’s son: "The best advice I ever got came from your dad".  He spoke his mind and told you what he thought – if it was not something you necessarily wanted to hear, it may be something that you needed to listen to. Bob thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with those he cared about. He did that a lot. He loved animals, especially dogs, and children, spending hours of his time engaged with both. He had no greater joy than guiding someone on their first hunting or fishing expedition, introducing people of all ages to his love of the outdoors.  Bob had a passion for upland bird hunting behind a stylish birddog, and enjoyed telling one (or several) of many stories around a campfire (regardless if you had heard it before).  He enjoyed deer hunting and spent many hours in a tree stand, returning home to share and donate his bounty around tables in Buncombe, Madison, and Yancey Counties. 
He was a strong man with a tender heart and would do anything for anyone. Bob was one of the few people you could call any time day or night, knowing that he would be there to assist with whatever you needed.  Bob was a fierce defender of our law enforcement, military, and first responders and he respected, admired, and envied the job that they did.  Bob enjoyed a good Irish whiskey, a fine Cuban cigar – and most of all the company of those he called friends and family.  Bob lived the way that many people wished they could.  He loved life and he lived life to the fullest.  Bob was not a man of material possessions, and if he had it to do all over again, he would likely only wish for a little more time with those he cared for – his friends and family who cherish his memory and delight in the joy he gave them over many years.  As one friend told Bob’s son: “A man's impact on the world is reflected in the love and commitment he has shown his family in his lifetime and passed on in the love and commitment his family shows to others. Bob’s impact will be felt past your children's grandchildren. You are a blessed man to have such an amazing father”.  He is now on a new adventure. We’re sure Heaven had a boisterous time when he arrived.  Bob’s faced was lined with crinkles at the corners of his eyes, from many smiles and laughter.  He’ll be remembered not only for his intellect but for the joy he brought to many lives, his kindness, his genuine love and appreciation of Nature, his Good Samaritan lifestyle, and his gift of story.  As Bob would say, a “Well Played” life.
Bob never was one for standing on ceremony. He always said, IF he went (not when), that we were to have a party, drink a beer, tell some stories about him and not stand around crying. In honoring his wishes, his family invites you to a Celebration of Bob’s Life party. If Bob was your friend, please come. If Bob helped you out in any way, please come. If Bob told you long stories, please come. If Bob taught you something valuable, please come.  If you loved him like we all did, please come. Stories will be told, music and pictures will be shared, and we will do what he would want us to do. Join Bob’s friends and family in the private event space at the Green Mansion at Green Man Brewery, 27 Buxton Ave., in downtown Asheville, from 6-9pm on Sunday, 2/12/17. Stop in anytime, stay as long as you can.  

A Service of Celebration for the Life of Bob Plyler will be May 5th 2017 Funeral 11:00-12:15 followed by reception in Tuton Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church St. Asheville 28801. Commitment and Burial at State Veterans Cemetery 2:00-2:30 962 Old US Highway 70 Black Mountain 28711. Dedication of the North Asheville Community Memorial Garden in Bob's honor 5:30 pm at the home. Reverend David Henson and Bob’s long-time friend, neighbor and hunting companion, Reverend Patrick Mc Ree will officiate. 

A heartfelt thank you to Rich and Rosa Myers, to the men and women of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office for their unwavering support, the Woodfin Police Department, Woodfin Fire Department, Reems Creek Fire Department, Buncombe County EMS, and the Mission Hospital Emergency Department staff.  We extend a special thank you to all of the friends, co-workers, and Bob’s “unofficially adopted” sons and daughters who have generously supported Bob’s family during this extremely difficult time. 

Bob and Anne spent his last two years creating a Community Memorial Garden in North Asheville.  It’s been a labor of love. The concept began with the death of several community residents.  They wanted to honor and remember the lives of those who had been such good neighbors and vibrant participants in the community.  The vision is to connect its visitors to the beauty of nature and the ties we share with loved ones present and departed. The garden is full of native plants, herbs, and wildflowers.  It includes a Native American Medicine Wheel garden, benches for rest and a fire-pit for community building and ceremony.  Visitors arrive day and night for prayer, reflection, meditative walking and Tai Chi practice.  Its wooden walkways and ramped entrances allow access for visitors who are wheelchair confined or who use assistive devices. Flags are flown to honor the fallen who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom and a free society.  Donations may be made to The North Asheville Community Memorial Garden, c/o Anne Plyler, PO Box 8603, Asheville, NC 28814. This fund is to maintain and expand the garden for the enjoyment of the community and to be a lasting tribute to the man who had the vision and the will to create it. Bob's presence is embedded in the gardens of Spring Cove. His Gifts are eternal.  We will miss Bob forever and love him always.

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