Dr. Robin Lee Pendleton

Robin Lee Pendleton, M.D., age 57, of Rutherfordton, NC, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 25, 2019.  Dr. Pendleton was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 15, 1962.  He was a graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.  He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Louisiana State University Medical Center, School of Medicine in New Orleans and went on to complete his internship and residency there in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  In 1993 Dr. Pendleton moved with his wife to Rutherfordton, NC, where he became a partner at Rutherford Ob-Gyn Associates.

Dr. Pendleton was preceded in death by his parents, Neal Francis Pendleton, Jr., and Patricia McCarthy Pendleton.  He is survived by his wife Dianna Smith Pendleton and sons Christopher David Pendleton, Matthew Lee Pendleton, and David Neal Pendleton of Rutherfordton.  He is also survived by his three sisters, Patricia Tanner, Jennifer Macdonald and her husband Ian, and Rebecca Rorie and her husband Rick, one brother Neal Pendleton and his wife Sharon, nine nephews, thirteen nieces, and five cousins.

The passions in Dr. Pendleton’s life were his Catholic faith, his family and friends, his patients, long-distance running, and his LSU Tigers.  He expressed these passions through his commitment and perseverance.  He was a lifelong Catholic, a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and an Emmaus brother.  As a husband and father, Dr. Pendleton was deeply devoted to his wife and children, he loved them with his whole heart and soul.  Despite his hectic schedule he could be found on a soccer field providing encouragement, eating pizza with his family after Mass, watching movies or dragging his reluctant children to run early in the morning.  He also valued his friendships by supporting and maintaining those relationships throughout his life.  As a doctor, he was passionate about providing exceptional care to his patients over the last 30 years.  Through his love of running, he earned the distinction of having completed his goal of finishing a 26.2-mile marathon in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.  It was with great enjoyment and satisfaction that he completed his 50th state, Hawaii, in September 2015 while also celebrating with his wife their 25th wedding anniversary.  And then there is LSU.  He went to extraordinary effort to watch every LSU football game, recruited friends to support his team, and made a pilgrimage to the LSU campus in Baton Rouge on every trip to Louisiana.

Dr. Pendleton was a very outgoing person with a great sense of humor who made friends easily.  For those who loved him, the deep sadness of losing Dr. Pendleton was made worse by knowing that he passed away at a time when he had just begun to enjoy his retirement and was spending more time with his family and friends while resuming his avid training program in preparation for his next marathon.

The Rosary will be said at Padgett and King Mortuary Chapel, Forest City, NC, on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at 6:00 p.m.  Visitation will follow from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm at Padgett and King.  The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church celebrated by Father Herbert Burke. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dr. Pendleton’s memory to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail.  Checks should be made payable to RHI Legacy Foundation P.O. Box 352 Rutherfordton, NC 28139.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements, and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.