ROBERT  JANNEY LAKE                        

        

 In May of 1980, our valued classmate, Robert Janney Lake, at just 36 years old, became the 12^th of our 440 member RJR62 graduating class to pass away.  This article is meant to give us an opportunity to reflect on Robert’s short life and how our special friend made the best of his brief time on earth.   Perhaps, there is a valuable lesson here for all of us.

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      Our own RJR62, Robert Janney Lake’s short life, was exceedingly meaningful!  He didn’t dilly dally; he didn’t delay!  Post haste, he turned his dream into an eternal reality.  He was focused and strong; he was wise beyond his years, yet all along the way, he was a regular guy, liked by all, loved by many, and voted the most popular young man of our senior class. 

    In May of 1962, unbeknownst to eighteen-year-old Robert Lake, his graduation from R. J. Reynolds High School would mark the half-way point in his total time on earth. Sadly, he would only live another eighteen years and would pass away on May 11^th, 1980, one day after his thirty-sixth birthday.     

    Comparing the length of Robert’s short life in perspective to our own lives, we have now lived approximately forty-six more years than he.  It makes one wonder how Robert accomplished so much in such a short time.    

    Gathering information about the last half of Robert’s life (1962 until 1980) has been quite difficult.  His father and mother have since passed, and time has faded much from the memory of the past. Nevertheless, with the help of some of Robert’s devoted friends, including our RJR62 classmates Missy McKeithen Johns, Philip Hightower, and Anita Hauser Ogburn, and with the assistance of Robert’s dear friend, Dr. Peter Van Dorsten from the RJR63 class, we were able to cobble together enough information to write this article. Hopefully, along with a tad bit of literary license taken by me as the writer, this article will show much about Robert’s meaningful life, and why he will long be remembered as a great man, a remarkable role model, and an extraordinary Christian.

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     Robert Janney Lake was born May 10, 1944, in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.  He was the third of four children born to the Reverend Doctor Julian Lake and wife, Elizabeth Roberta Gilmour Lake.  Robert’s brother, Julian Gilmour Lake, was eight years older, his sister, Betty, was four years older, and his little sister, Scottie, was four years younger.

     When Robert was about four or so years old, the family moved to Winston Salem where Robert’s father, would become the distinguished minister of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Winston-Salem.   The family took up residence in the church manse located on Virginia Avenue in the Buena Vista section of the city.   Robert’s father, mother and family plus many of the fine people at the First Presbyterian Church would all play a great part in helping Robert to develop into the fine Christian man that he would become.

    Not long after arriving in Winston Salem, young Robert was enrolled in the First Presbyterian Pre-School, where he met his first best friend, Philip Hightower.  Philip recalls those early years when he and Robert would be together day in and day out. “We were nearly inseparable,” Phil explained, “but sometimes at pre-school Robert and I would get into trouble for being overly exuberant – and believe it or not – we might have even misbehaved!”  Philip went on to say, “When our behavior became too wild, the teacher would send Robert and me out of the classroom into the hallway, dragging our day mat as we went. There, sort of like being put in hall-way purgatory, we would have to lay on our mats and contemplate our misbehavior.  Sometimes,” Phil added, “Dr. Lake, Robert’s father, would happen by and see us on our mats in the hallway. Oftentimes, when this happened, he would give us a long stare, then shake his head, roll his eyes, and say, “Oh my, there they go again!” 

                                     First Grade

     At six years old, Robert headed to the first grade at Wiley Elementary School.  Then, a few years later he transferred to the brand-new Whitaker Elementary.  Throughout, Robert and Phil remained steadfast friends, but Robert also would meet many other lifelong friends like Cliff Perry and Tom Ogburn.                                 

                                             RJR

  Finally, in 1958, Robert entered the 8^th grade at our alma mater – dear old Reynolds High.  There, Robert was well-received.  He participated in many activities including the Key Club, the student council, and the Hi-Y service club.  Robert was president of the sophomore class, treasurer of the junior class, and the manager of the varsity football team.  He played junior high and junior varsity basketball; he was in the Monogram Club and, as mentioned, he was voted by the RJR62 class as the “Most Popular”. 

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    There is this chuckle-worthy story that needs to be told: It occurred when basketball coach Ray Whitley was teaching a class and the rusty old radiators in the classroom were stuck on “hot”.  The room was growing more uncomfortable from the heat, prompting Coach Whitley to look over at Robert’s best friend, Phil Hightower, and say, “Philip, please raise that window!”

    Phil was quick to oblige and immediately jumped up and grasped the window inserts with both hands and lifted – but the window did not move.  Philip, known for his athletic prowess and physical ability, took a deep breath, looked around, and again repositioned his hands on the hard-stuck window.  A more determined look now etched on his face, Philip again lifted strenuously, like he might be doing a heavy barbell curl – Philip strained, then strained some more, but despite his gallant effort, the stubborn window would not budge. Nevertheless, Philip was no quitter!  He would not be denied!   He paused, regrouped, then looked back over his shoulder as he again repositioned his hands and got a firmer grip, then with a strain and a grunt, Charles Atlas, uh, I mean Philip Hightower put his full strength into the task – more strain - Philips’s face was turning red – more strain! But, oh no! It didn’t move!  Finally, much to Phil’s chagrin, no matter how hard he tried, no matter how hard he strained, the window still just would not budge.

    Robert Lake was nearby and had been watching intently as his best friend clearly was becoming more and more frustrated.  It was an awkward moment, and Robert had to do something - he could stand it no longer. He stood up and calmly approached the window.  Again, everyone was watching as Philip stepped back.  Nonchalantly and unassumingly, Robert did the obvious. He turned the window lock lever off and with one hand effortlessly lifted the window up.   The class, including our great Hall-of-Famer, Phil Hightower, got a big laugh and now even 63 years later it is still funny.

 

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                                        College

      Upon high school graduation in 1962, Robert decided to attend Davidson College and furthermore, he was able to persuade several of his closer friends including Phil Hightower and Tom Ogburn to go to Davidson also.

    The next year, another great friend Peter Van Dorsten, from RJR63 joined him at Davidson in 1963.  Robert and his friends joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity there.  Of course, the question begs: Was Robert, who would someday become a devout Presbyterian minister, a party boy?  After all, most frat boys were known to be partiers.   Well, per Phil Hightower, Robert was no prude, and though he seldom drank anything stronger than Coca Cola, he loved to have a good time, and everyone liked him. 

    There was, however, this rare occasion when Robert at the most had two beers, and because normally Robert was a tee-tootler, he had no tolerance.  Apparently, with the alcohol talking, from out of nowhere, Robert raised his beer can high in the air, and smiling like a possum, said, “A toast to the bird!”  Nobody knew what he was talking about, but everyone laughed.   What bird? There were no birds around anywhere.  Nevertheless, for a long time after that, when some of his brothers would see Robert passing, they would laugh, raise their hand, and say, “Here’s to the bird!”   Go figure!

    Per Peter Van Dorsten, Robert was not what we would call “studious”, but he was a hard worker. Though his brother had been a math genius, Robert did not get that gene. Having flunked basic freshman math, he had to repeat it in his sophomore year. Peter, being a fraternity brother, was charged with insuring that Robert have a different outcome.  He did and they all celebrated long and hard when Robert passed the second time around.

                                         Suzanne                   

     Between Robert’s junior and senior year at Davidson, he went on a trip to Europe with a group of college students.  As it turned out, the trip would be extremely eventful because that is where Robert met Suzanne Boone from Durham who would become the love of his life.   Suzanne was a beautiful lady and they hit it off.  The relationship blossomed and soon romance came.  It wasn’t long before marriage plans were made. 

                                    Ministry Plans

    With wedding plans looming, Robert was also planning another major event - He would enroll in divinity school and become a minister. After all, he had grown up in the church, his father was a minister, and it seemed like the study of divinity ran in his family.  Maybe it was part of his DNA.

     So, the die was cast!  It would be a doubly epochal summer for Robert and would change his life forever.  He and Suzanne would be married in August and then a short time later in early September, Robert would report to Union Theological Seminary (now, Union Presbyterian Seminary) in Richmond, Virginia to begin his studies.

 

                                           The Wedding

     And so it was:  On Saturday, August 2^nd, 1966, Suzanne and Robert were married at Suzanne’s family church in Durham, North Carolina. Robert’s dad, mother, and family were all present along with at least four of Robert’s lifetime friends, including Phil Hightower, Tom Ogburn, Cliff Perry, and Peter Van Dorsten serving as ushers. Also present for the joyous occasion were many of Robert’s RJR62 classmates and friends, including Anita Hauser Ogburn, Buff Cox Perry and others.  

    Following the wedding and the reception, the jubilant  “Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Lake,” headed off for their honeymoon at the Tides Inn located on the northern neck of coastal Virginia, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.

                                    Theological Studies                                    

   A few weeks later, Robert began his theological studies at Union. He probably surmised that he was now embarking on the career of not just his own dreams but also the dreams of his family!  Robert thrived at Union and took full advantage of the academic studies as he sought a degree in masters of  theology.   

                                                                                                           

                                   Robert’s Dream

  As Robert and Suzanne followed their dreams, slowly but surely, their first two dreams materialized: Their son, Robert Scott was born and several years later their daughter, Julia, came into the world. It was a beautiful family and everyone was overjoyed and optimistic about what the future held for them.

    Still, Robert was searching for a place where he could fulfill another dream, that of his becoming a vibrant minister of a church with a promising future.  He wanted to be able to bring God’s Word to as many people as possible.  Also, he hoped to wind up in a beautiful place where he and his family would enjoy living.

   Although the information about Robert’s first pastoral job is somewhat fuzzy, our best estimate is that it was in Starkville, Mississippi, the home of Mississippi State University, where he held a position as chaplain.  For a while, also, he pastored a local church.  Although Robert loved being a pastor and loved the people, in time, he began feeling that this venue was not ideal and was not going to be fulfilling enough for him. He prayed for guidance and continued to hope that a greater opportunity would open to him.

       Somehow, Somewhere - Wheels Began to Turn!

   The Light Shines Out of Darkness is a 1773 poem by William Cowper’s, which was later turned into a hymn. Its lyrics might have been helpful to Robert in resolving his quandary:

                                                 -  God moves in mysterious ways,

                                                                             his wonders to perform;

                                                                He  plants his footsteps by the sea

                                                                                   And rides upon the storm;                                                              

                                                                -   His purposes will ripen fast,

                                                                                Unfolding every hour;

                                                                The bud may have a bitter taste,

                                                                                But sweet will be the flower;

 

            As Robert hoped and prayed from Starkville, Mississippi, a church almost six hundred miles to the east was struggling.  Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church near Charleston had a dire need for a new minister - but not just any minister. It had to be a very special minister, someone with a high level of sincerity and genuineness, someone with a keen knowledge of  the Christian gospel, and someone who could help the church grow.  But where could they find such a minister?

     Aha!  A lady in the congregation had an idea!   “Why don’t you consider my nephew? “she told the church search committee of  Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church. And so, they did.  Several of their members headed for Starkville, Mississippi and on a Sunday morning at a small church there, they heard the lady’s nephew, Pastor Robert J. Lake, preach.  And they liked what they heard!  Soon, the Mt. Pleasant church invited Robert to come visit them to give the congregation there an opportunity to hear this bright young minister speak.  Robert traveled to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and preached a sermon to his prospective congregation.  Thereafter, the church took his application under advisement.  

       Robert returned to Starkville and waited.  Usually calm, cool and collected, he likely was a bit anxious as he hoped and prayed for his dream to come true.  Could God’s plan for Robert, as suggested by the poem, be beginning to ripen and unfold?                                                  

       Then, in late 1978, the answer came!  It was YES! – The good folks of Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church liked him and extended a call to Robert to be their minister.   Furthermore, they seemed to like everything about him, particularly his calm, down-to-earth voice and his Southern accent.  They also liked how sincerely he spoke about God’s love! 

   The journey to Mount Pleasant must have been a jubilant time for Robert and family!  They were headed to this wonderful church with a wonderful history in the wonderful waterside community of Mt. Pleasant.    It was a match made in heaven!

 

                    Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church 

       Robert’s prayer had been answered.  In the churches’ history, Robert would become Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church’s third full-time minister.

 

                               Church History

    Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church had a long and glorious history, having originally been a Congregational Church founded about 1699. During the Civil War, it had been used as a Confederate hospital. After the War, it had housed the legendary Laing School for Freedmen during the Reconstruction era.  In 1870, the church was accepted by the Presbytery and renamed the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church.

                  

                               Robert’s Great Challenge

    With this great lifetime challenge before him, Robert might have recalled his own words that he had written some sixteen years earlier, back when he was just eighteen years old – the words he had placed under his photo in the 1962 Reynolds High School Black and Gold annual.  Those words were:

          “SUCCESS BEGINS WITH A PERSON’S WILL?

     Perhaps, those words coupled with Robert’s ministerial goals of helping to bring God’s love to as many people as possible brought him the power to succeed.   Maybe, he prayed for direction.  And, from the way things turned out, it appears that God heard his prayers and answered them!

    Did Robert have an inkling that his life was going to be cut short?  Probably not, but God knew. When Robert prayed for God’s guidance, did God urge him to fast track what he needed to do to attain his earthly and heavenly goals in the limited time that he had left?   Of course, we will never know – but it is obvious that for our great classmate, Robert Janney Lake, to have accomplished what he did in the short time that he had left - it had to have been God-inspired!       

       

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                                     Church Growth

     Now, it was 1978 and unbeknownst to Robert, he had less than two years left in his life.  Nevertheless, onward he pressed with the light of Christ in his heart leading the way. He forced himself to stay mindful and focused, all the while being grateful for this opportunity that the good Lord and Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church had given him. 

    With his lifetime clock ticking away, Robert worked hard for the church and its people. Every Sunday, more pews began filling up with newcomers eager to hear the wisdom and teachings of this young minister from North Carolina. In a short while, somehow, it appeared the tide was changing.  There was a shift in momentum from the previous somewhat slow-growth of the church of earlier days.  Now, the future was growing brighter and beginning to bloom.  It was a new era and might be compared to the budding of the sweet flower that poet William Cowpers had written about.          

     Perhaps Robert’s strong dedication to God along with his youthful charisma, Southern charm, and his undaunted enthusiasm was the catalyst and even a steppingstone that enabled this once-struggling church with an uncertain future to find itself and grow into the magnificent church that it is would become today with eighteen hundred confirmed members.  

                

         The Lord Calls Robert Home

     In 1980, Robert was diagnosed with lymphoma, which is a cancer that attacks the lymph nodes. The diagnosis was bleak and got worse, but Robert never lost heart. 

    When Robert’s great friend, Philip Hightower, heard about the devastating illness, he immediately flew down to Mount Pleasant to see Robert. Philip recalls that it was a heartfelt rendezvous as the two old friends told stories, talked about their lives, discussed religion, and about how much they cared for each other. Confession-like, they talked about their good deeds as well as their not-so-good deeds.   Philip remembers that they both acknowledged that they had long ago accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Phil remembers that when they talked about their transgressions, Robert responded, saying that they should not worry because the Lord had forgiven them, and when they died, they would be with the Lord for all eternity.  Robert’s last words to Philip were: “God Loves You and so do I”

    As the lymphoma spread, Robert was moved to Winston Salem. Still, despite it all, he kept the good Lord in his heart all the way until the end. Robert was called home two days after his thirty-sixth birthday. His funeral was held at his beloved church, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian, and his interment would be in Winston-Salem’s Forsyth Memorial Park where many years later his mother and father would also be interred.

 

 

 

                       Gratitude of the Congregation

    In time, so pleased was the congregation of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church for the work done by our RJR62 classmate, the Reverend Robert Lake that the following words were be memorialized on a plaque, which is still on display at the church today  It states as follows:

WHEREAS, during this short-lived period Robert J. Lake made a profound and unique impact upon this Church, its congregation and the Mount Pleasant community, evidencing a love, concern and interest in his fellow man, which though urged by the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, is rarely seen amongst us in these days.

 

                                      Remembering Robert                               

     Robert’s short but exceedingly meaningful life makes one wonder whether we, all of us now in our eighties, would have been then or even now as prepared to cross the bar as Robert was at the young age of thirty-six. I doubt most of us would have been.  But, why Robert Janney Lake?  The only answer I can give is that despite Robert’s  young age, he was a special child of God! He had been preparing to enter the Kingdom of Heaven most all his life. Our Lord and Savior was in his heart and soul!                    

                                                                                   

                                              Montreat

   Robert’s mother’s grandparents were instrumental in establishing the Montreat Presbyterian Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina not far from Asheville. Here, also, they built the Gilmour Lake home – Edge -which has been the family’s beloved gathering place for many generations. 

    After his passing, in tribute to their beloved Robert, the family built the Robert Lake Park, which is located just a few minutes from and adjacent to Black Mountain, North Carolia. It has been called a hidden gem nestled inside the Montreat College campus.  It is in a serene, peaceful setting filled with green and a relaxing spot for all ages.  It has a kid-friendly creek, a playground, hiking trails, picnic tables and pavilions. One commentator called it the “Best Park Ever!”  And, it is a public park open to everyone!

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   Two summers ago, Robert’s great friend and our wonderful classmate, Missy McKeithen Johns sent me the following report on Robert Lake Park:

    Hi Danny! This summer I took my Granddaughters to the most amazing playground in Black Mountain, NC. It’s now the Robert Lake Playground! A rock-filled stream runs through the middle of it and the kids love playing in the water and on the rocks. Robert became my special close friend when his dad brought their family to Winston around 1950. He was the new pastor of our church, First Presbyterian. Robert and I met in kindergarten there. We went to church camp at Montreat many times, still my most favorite place in the mountains. It’s only 20 minutes from Asheville. Billy Graham’s home is there. Robert was much loved by our Class of ’62 and this Playground dedication is a beautiful way to honor him.

 

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                                      In Memory

                       Thoughts of Philip Hightower

        Robert Lake was my best friend since kindergarten, since Whitaker Elementary and since Reynolds High School. We were fraternity brothers at Davidson.  “I can’t tell you how many sleepovers we had at his house and mine.  He was my brother just like my older brother Felda.  We did everything together.  He was a great man, a great Presbyterian minister, a great husband to Suzanne, and a great father to his children.  Yep, he was just plain great!  And I was so blessed to have known him.   I still think about him regularly and the good times we shared.  I lost part of me when he went to be with our lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

                 

 

         Thoughts of Dr. Peter Van Dorsten

    In the summer of 1979, my wife and I visited Robert and Suzanne in their home in Mt Pleasant. I had just gotten out of the Army and headed to Los Angeles to do a 2-year fellowship.  We had a wonderful 2 days, reminiscing and talking about our future together.  I had already committed to the Medical University of South Carolina and hoped that I could find a home in the Old Village near Robert.  We were all ecstatic about this long-awaited reunion.  Rather, I got the tragic news in LA from a mutual friend who informed me of the dreadful news.  I never saw Robert again but did find a house around the corner from Suzanne, Scott, and Julie when we returned in 1981. Both children became our trusted babysitters.  Years later, I was able to help Robert and Suzanne’s son, Scott, get into medical school at Tulane.  He was absolutely a chip off the old block with his calm laid back style and southern accent.

   Over the years, we heard many stories about how Robert had influenced lives in Mt. Pleasant. Following Robert’s tenure there, the church had to expand to accommodate all the new members.

 

                

 

                 Thoughts of Anita Hauser Ogburn

    Remembering Robert:   There is very little that I can add to that already said by Robert’s many friends, but I will try.   Robert was really funny. Even now when I picture him, I see a big smile.  He laughed and talked – a lot maybe foreshadowing his future as a preacher.  He was a servant leader, respected and willing to take responsibility in many arenas, including as at RJR’s  football team manager to Speaker of the Student Government House of Representatives.  He had many friends and was exceedingly kind.

    I think Robert was a modern-day influencer.  People wanted to be around him.  He convinced Tom (and maybe Phil) to go to Davidson College when Tom knew nothing about the school.  His influencer personality likely contributed to his success in attracting new members to his Mt. Pleasant Church.  How fortunate that he  used his influence for good.  I wish we could have known him longer.    Anita                                     

          A NOTE FROM RJR62 SCRIBE, DANNY FERGSON

-I want to say thank you to Robert’s friends, Missy McKeithen Johns, Peter Van Dorsten, Philip Hightower, and Anita Hauser Ogburn whose heart-felt dedication to their great friend, Robert Lake, made this article possible.  Without them, this article could not have been written. 

- As I read about the Robert Lake Park, I felt my eyes go moist when I thought about this everlasting tribute to our RJR62 treasure, Robert Jannie Lake. In that regard, I say, “Thank you Lord for giving us Robert and thank you also for the Godly lessons about life that we have learned through him.  Like Robert knew, we also know that our time on earth is limited, and we should use whatever time we have to live a loving and Godly life as we also prepare to meet our maker.

     The memory of Robert Janney Lake remains greatly admired and respected. And even now, the love for him still flows. We hope and pray to see him again on the other side.   Amen!