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Ranger Chuck Robertson at a mountain overlook. Photograph by Stacey Van Berkel. We are so saddened to share the news that Ranger Charles “Chuck” Robertson, who welcomed thousands of visitors to Moses H. Cone Memorial Park over the last decade, passed away on March 14. He was a friend to our organization and held a deep commitment to the continued preservation of the scenic mountain estate.
He enjoyed sharing the rich history of the Cone family, Flat Top Manor, and the entire estate with park visitors. While he came to this role later in life, Chuck was living his childhood dream of being a park ranger. After a career with the Air Force and time spent as an artist, Chuck finally joined the National Park Service at his dream location — the Blue Ridge Parkway.
As thousands of visitors and local park users will agree, it was the perfect spot for him to land. Ranger Chuck cared deeply about this park and its visitors. Realizing his longtime dream to join the National Park Service inspired others and inspired the best in him. As Chuck said in the article “The Scenic Route” published in Our State magazine, “The parkway improves visitors’ lives, and assisting them improves mine. There’s something to be said for living out your dreams, no matter how long it takes.”
It was Chuck’s wish that any gifts in his memory support the park he loved so much. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s efforts to preserve Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.