To honor his father, Robert Eaves Jr. ’58, CEO of The Right Stuff Food Stores, and his wife, N.C. Lt. Gov., Beverly Eaves Perdue, established the Robert Wendell Eaves Sr. Professorship in Educational Leadership in the School of Education.

“My father was my hero. It is a way to honor his profession and honor him for what he did for elementary school leadership,” Bob Eaves said.

The one-room schoolhouse Eaves attended was open only four months each year. Because of the short terms, flu epidemics and other difficulties, by the time Eaves finished eighth grade he was 17 years old. For the next two years, he either walked or rode a mule to attend high school five miles away from his home.

Eaves came to Chapel Hill and worked his way through, alternating between teaching and attending the University. He received his bachelor’s degree in education in 1928 at the age of 24.

Eaves began his career as a teaching principal in an elementary school in Spindale. In 1932 he became a principal in Alexandria, Va., then went to work in Washington, D.C. During the Washington years he earned a master’s and a doctorate degree in education from George Washington University.

“Although the (Washington) Central Office considered the elementary school principalship a ‘woman’s job,’ I was appointed in 1935,” said Eaves about his first job there. 

In 1944, he joined the staff of the National Education Association, becoming executive secretary of its Department of Elementary School Principals (DESP) in 1950. He held his position until his retirement. Under his leadership, the organization grew from 10,000 to 25,000 members, a success that earned him his nickname, “Mr. DESP.” Some 6,500 elementary school teachers and principals gathered at a retirement celebration in his honor at Las Vegas, Nev. in 1969.

“Every summer he would go teach at some university. He did that for about 20 years. It helped build membership for his department. He knew people all over,” said Bob Eaves.

In fact, Fenwick English — the first Eaves professor — studied under Eaves at the University of Southern California in 1962.

According to Madeleine Grumet, dean of the school of education, English – an expert in the areas of curriculum theory and design, organizational theory and leadership development – “is the kind of person to realize the goals for schools that Robert Wendell Eaves Sr. had.”

“Everybody called him Bob. I remember him as a graceful and professional man, and as a very effective teacher,” English said. “ We had very strong and passionate discussions with him in class. He made a very strong impression on me when I was getting my education to further my career in school administration.”

Victoria Moxey ’02

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