ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – Dr. Robert Crawford Bankhead (Davidson Class 1955), or “Doc” as he was known to his parishioners and campers, Age 90, Died February 9th 2024 at Westminster Retirement Community, St. Augustine, FL.
A graduate of Davidson College, Davidson, NC, Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA, and the University of Basel, Basel Switzerland. He served as a Presbyterian Minister at Rocky Springs Presbyterian Church near Laurens, South Carolina, Ninety-Six Presbyterian Church in Ninety-Six, South Carolina, First Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Sion Presbyterian Church in Winnsboro, South Carolina, and the Carolina Beach Presbyterian Church in Carolina Beach North Carolina. While in Ninety-Six he also ran Camp Fellowship, the Presbyterian Church’s Camp and Conference Center located on Lake Greenwood. Between churches in Fredericksburg and Winnsboro he served as the Associate Executive Presbyter of Wilmington Presbytery and ran Camp Kirkwood near Wilmington, North Carolina and Camp Albemarle located near Morehead City, North Carolina which were Wilmington Presbytery’s Camp and Conference Centers. After retirement from active preaching he served as the Port Chaplain for the Wilmington Port Authority and traveled giving retirement seminars across the US for the Presbyterian Board of Pensions.
He was pre-deceased by his parents Bill and Sue Bankhead, sister, Susie Boyd (Charles) of York, South Carolina. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary, of St. Augustine, FL and a son, Bill (Davidson Class 1983) (Amy), of Jacksonville, FL. During his last days of life he was well-cared-for by the skilled nursing staff of Westminster St. Augustine.
No visitation planned. There will be a Memorial service Sun. April 14, 2024 at 1:00 followed by a Celebration of Life Reception at the Sion Presbyterian Church in Winnsboro, South Carolina where he served as a minister for eleven years. Reverend Roger Horne will conduct the service. Former campers, counselors, church members, and friends are all invited to share in the services.
“Doc” was at home running whitewater canoe trips for the camping programs as he was discussing theological issues with biblical scholars. He presided in the heyday of small group camping at Presbyterian Camp and Conference Centers in the Carolinas helping campers and college staff experience the wonder of God through nature. He was an avid hiker, swimmer, canoeist, and sailor. Several of his staff and campers followed him into the ministry. At the University of Basel he studied under renowned theologians Oscar Kulman and Karl Barth. Throughout his life he led bible studies at various churches on various topics including Martin Luther, Barth, and reformation theology. He never quit learning, earning his DMin from Princeton University while in his 40’s. His last bible study group was at First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, NC while in his 80’s.