Robert C. Petrey Honors Scholarship Endowment

Robert C. “Bob” Petrey was born in Washington , DC . He received his BS Degree in Chemical Engineering from Washington and Lee University , and his MS Degree in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech. Although Bob Petrey was not an alumnus of East Tennessee State University , through his outstanding beneficial service to the ETSU Foundation, Bob was a much beloved, respected, and admired person in the ETSU Community. Bob fully embraced and promoted ETSU as a regional resource for change and improvement in the quality of life through the university's impact in educational, economic, and cultural opportunities for those we serve.

In 1985, Bob began a long and successful tenure as Treasurer of the ETSU Foundation. That year, the Foundation's assets totaled $2.6 million dollars. By 1997, when Bob left his post as Foundation Treasurer, the Foundation's endowment assets exceeded $32 million dollars. During Bob's tenure as Treasurer, the ETSU Foundation annually received unqualified audit opinions.

When Bob retired after forty-two years of service with the Eastman Kodak Company in 1986, he offered a bit of advice for new employees. Bob said, “It's when we function as good citizens, good community works, and good neighbors, that we do the most for ourselves and the company.” Bob Petrey lived his life that way in service to others. Not only did he serve so effectively as Treasurer of the ETSU Foundation for many years, Bob was also a member of the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman from 1986 to 1997, during a period of Kingsport's history which saw much growth in population and expansion of educational and economic opportunities for the citizens of Kingsport and for the citizens of the Northeast Tennessee region.

In reflection and honor of Bob Petrey's service to ETSU and the Northeast Tennessee region, the ETSU Alumni Association awarded Bob the status of “Honorary Alumnus” in 1992. On his retirement as Treasurer of the ETSU Foundation, the ETSU Foundation established the “Robert C. Petrey ETSU Foundation Honor Scholarship” to assist ETSU Honors students, and to carry forth the enduring legacy of a life well lived in total and effective service for others. Our friend, Bob Petrey, passed away in 1998.