Former University of Tennessee trustee and Knoxville developer Robert Talbott has died

Real estate developer and former University of Tennessee Board of Trustees member Robert Talbott has died, Knox News has confirmed.

Talbott was born Aug. 21, 1953, and died July 21.

Talbott was the founder and president of Holrob Investments, a development firm that oversaw projects such as Homberg Place in Bearden and Maryville Commons.

Talbott joined the UT Board of Trustees in 2007, and resigned in 2012 after moving to Nashville for business reasons. While on the board, he chaired the finance and administration committee.

Sharon Miller Pryse, CEO of The Trust Company, described Talbott as a "very close friend" and said he will be missed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Talbott moved to Kiawah Island, South Carolina, she said.

Commercial real estate developer Bob Talbott, photographed here in 2006, has died.
Commercial real estate developer Bob Talbott, photographed here in 2006, has died.

"He really always wanted what was best for whatever interest it was. Whether it was United Way, or economic development for the community, it wasn't just so he could sell more property or have more business; he wanted what was best for Knoxville and wanted what was best for the University of Tennessee," Pryse said. "He really was a great man and will be sorely missed."

Silas Sloan is the growth and development reporter. Email silas.sloan@knoxnews.com. Twitter @silasloan. Instagram @knox.growth.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee trustee, Knoxville developer Robert Talbott dies