Robert “Bob” Lewis Padgette passed away on July 5, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina at the age of 78.

Bob was born in Raleigh on October 2, 1946, to Curtis and Edith Wooten Padgette. He also lived in New Jersey and Atlanta during his childhood. Bob graduated from Westminster High School in Atlanta 1964 and went on to attend Duke University, earning his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering in 1968 and later returning to Duke’s Fuqua School of Business to obtain his MBA in 1981. He was a proud member of the SAE fraternity and a lifelong Duke Blue Devil.

Bob began his career in Cincinnati before returning to Raleigh in the early 1970s. In 1981, he moved to Atlanta for several years and ultimately settled back in Raleigh, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Bob started his professional career as an engineer working for L.E. Wooten & Company. After obtaining his MBA he began his financial career working at Kidder Peabody. This is when he was able to enjoy his true passion - numbers and data. He founded Mobius Group in 1989 and really enjoyed being his own boss. In 1999, Mobius group was acquired by CheckFree and not long afterward Bob returned to his love of entrepreneurship with the start up of Klein Decisions.

Bob was always on the move. On to the next adventure, whether professional or personal. While in school he enjoyed being on the wrestling team and later realized he really enjoyed running. He always looked forward to participating in The Great Raleigh Road Race until he moved to Atlanta where he was able to continue his annual tradition with the Peachtree Road Race. He loved dogs—always happiest with one by his side—and was an avid golfer. He may have said he enjoyed the game, but perhaps it was more of the socializing he enjoyed. In his younger years, he raced a yellow Bug-Eyed Sprite, a fitting symbol of his sense of adventure. Later in life that love of adventure led him to the open road in his beloved RV to enjoy his retirement.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Martha “Becky” Padgette in April of 2025. He is survived by his son Rob Padgette, Rob’s wife Heather, and their sons Cameron and Nathan; his daughter Beth Fulks and her husband Clay; and his sister Deedee Padgette and her wife Lou Elledge and many cousins. He will be missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.

Onward to the next adventure.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in his memory to Peak Lab Rescue or the Duke Fuqua Annual Fund in memory of Robert Padgette. A celebration of life will be planned at a later time.