Robert Gregory Obituary

Robert E. Gregory, Jr. LANDRUM, SC - Robert "Rob" E. Gregory, Jr. peacefully entered into eternal rest on November 22, 2022. Rob was the son of the late Ellen and Robert Earl Gregory, Sr. Rob was a pillar in community, commerce and philanthropy: a transformative leader with an unmatched, diverse skill set and a reputation for excellence. Rob and his wife, Marie, lived in Landrum, SC. They have two children and six grandchildren. He is survived by: his wife, Marie; his children, Scott and Kelly; his grandchildren; and his brother. Gregory was a member of St. John of the Wilderness Episcopal Church of Tryon. Rob was born in Greenville, SC. A Wofford College graduate, Rob served his country in the United States Marine Corps before graduating from both the University of South Carolina School of Law and Harvard Business School. Rob served as Legal Assistant to the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court before serving as Group Vice President and General Counsel to Spartan Mills. Rob then served as President of Lee Jean Company and President of VF Corporation, one of the world's largest apparel companies, which owned brands such as Lee, Vanity Fair, Wrangler, Jansport, and many others. In 1992, he established his own firm, which specialized in financial and operational restructuring, as well as consultancy work for public companies. Clients included Gitano, London Fog, numerous private equity-owned companies, and financial institutions. This work gained Rob national recognition as a leading turnaround specialist. Immediately before Rob's retirement, he served as an operating partner of two multi-billion-dollar private equity firms. During his career, Rob served on the Boards of Directors of six companies listed on the NYSE, as well as sixteen private companies. He also remained actively engaged in numerous religious and charitable organizations throughout the country. In South Carolina alone, he served on the boards of the Spoleto Festival and the Charles Lea Center; and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wofford College; Spartanburg County Foundation; Spartanburg Regional Foundation; Spartanburg Regional Health System; and Apella Health. Rob received numerous business and community awards, including an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Wofford College and the National Humanitarian Award from the Government of Israel. In 2021, Rob was presented with The Order of The Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor. At the pre-planned request of Mr. Gregory, Private Family Burial will be held in the Gregory Family Cemetery on the Gregory Estate. Reverend Dr. Ray Litts will officiate. J.W. Woodward Funeral Home Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston