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Tryon— Robert Banks, affectionately known as Bob, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, November 18, 2023, of cancer at his home in Tryon, North Carolina. He was born and raised in Garden City, New York and resided there with his wife, Vita Pacella Banks, for over 24 years.  He graduated from Garden City High School, Class of 1964, served in the United States Air Force, and was a graduate of Adelphi University. Upon leaving New York, he resided in San Diego, California, and Tryon, North Carolina.

Bob leaves behind a son Robert, a stepson Duke, a daughter Nicole, a stepdaughter Suzanne, and two grandchildren, Cheyenne and Ryan.  Other family members include one brother Donald Banks of Atlanta, Georgia, one sister Barbara Banks Hester of Garden City, New York, two nieces Jennifer Mangano, and Aimee Escher, and one nephew Dr. Peter Hester.

To know Bob (Robert) was to really love him.  He was a mischievous character with a dry sense of humor who made you laugh.  Bob or “My Bob” as he was sometimes called, loved family, and friends and was a lover of life.  He was kind, generous, thoughtful of others, and could always be counted on when needed.

One of his greatest joys was to drive his Friesian horse, Rembrandt, in competitions throughout the country.  His latest adventure was zip lining and he loved every thrilling moment of it!

We shall always remember Bob as a happy-go-lucky, fun-loving, and beyond-compassionate person to everyone he met.  He left this earth having done it his way.

Vita Banks and Menelika Basele