Hampton Roads developer and philanthropist, Robert ‘Bob’ Stanton, dies at 84

A revered Hampton Roads commercial real estate developer who helped to shape the downtown Norfolk skyline and where consumers shopped has died.

Robert “Bob” Stanton died Sept. 4 at 84. He was a driving force behind multiple prominent regional developments, including the World Trade Center and 150 W. Main St. in downtown Norfolk, Lynnhaven Mall, Greenbrier Mall, Suffolk’s Harbour View and more than 30 grocery-anchored shopping centers.

Stanton spent more than half a century building his career and real estate portfolio. He started as a broker with Goodman Segar Hogan. Inc in 1966 and rose through the ranks to company president in 1975, later becoming chairman. He retired from the firm in 1993 and that same year started Stanton Partners Inc. at 150 W. Main St. to focus on commercial real estate investments in Virginia and North Carolina.

That same corner where he finished his career was also where he had started working at a clothing store after college. Born in Portsmouth, Stanton was a hometown boy who graduated from Churchland High School in 1956. Forever proud of the school’s football team, the Truckers, and its perfect 1954 season that earned national attention, Stanton went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a football scholarship. In 1961, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary (now Old Dominion University).

Stanton Partners President Teresa Peters said Stanton was active in the business until his last day. She said he enjoyed coming into the office and continued to be a dynamic deal maker.

He had asked Peters to join him as a partner when the business started 29 years ago. She said Stanton was a true champion for women, minorities and workplace diversity long before inclusiveness was the hot topic it is today.

“Several years ago, about 50 women got together and had a luncheon in his honor,” she said. “We wanted to honor him for his steadfast devotion to women as leaders, professionals and valued friends.”

A tearful Peters said she will miss the leader, mentor and friend to so many.

“A lot of people in our community went on to continue their careers in commercial real estate, start their own companies or they are in top leadership roles and we all contribute that to Bob for what he taught us,” Peters said.

A faithful Monarch through and through, Stanton served as rector on the ODU board of visitors and as the first chairman of the university’s real estate foundation in addition to heavy involvement in its Center for Real Estate. His license plate — ODU 61 — reflected one of his greatest sources of pride.

He was involved in a variety of community organizations, including CIVIC Leadership Institute, Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation (Schooner Virginia), USS Wisconsin Foundation, Greater Norfolk Corp. and TowneBank’s Norfolk advisory board.

A founding partner for both Town Point Club and Bayville Golf Club, Stanton and his wife, Eleanor, were founding members of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation, the state’s largest annual wine auction. Together, the couple nurtured and grew the event held for 28 years in a tent on the grounds of the family’s property in Virginia Beach that dates back to 1919 when Eleanor’s grandfather bought the farmland. It has raised millions of dollars in one day to help bestow higher education opportunities for underprivileged youth in Hampton Roads.

Jennie Capps, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation, said it was due to Stanton’s leadership and foresight, coupled with the kindness and hard work of hundreds of volunteers, donors, sponsors and board members, that the event has flourished since its inception 31 years ago.

“Bob believed that education changes lives,” Capps said.

That’s why he was a longtime supporter of ACCESS College Foundation, both serving on its board and providing more than $7 million in support to date.

Bonnie B. Sutton, ACCESS president and CEO, said his stamp on the foundation was remarkable and significantly improved it through the years.

“In life, there are people who impact you personally or professionally and sometimes the impact is profound on both levels,” Sutton said. “Robert “Bob” Stanton was one of those people for me. … His legacy will live on through the many causes that he championed and the countless lives touched.”

Stanton’s business acuity and civic leadership flair did not go unrecognized on a grandeur level; he was duly appointed by four governors to serve on the boards of Old Dominion University, Virginia Housing Foundation, the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia and the Virginia Port Authority.

Presented with awards throughout his life, Stanton garnered a long list that included: First Citizen of Virginia Beach, Virginia Jaycees Five Outstanding Young Men in Virginia; Downtown Norfolk Council Downtowner of the Year; and Volunteer Hampton Roads’ Lenora Mathews Lifetime Achievement Award.

When he wasn’t busy working as a mover and shaker, Stanton was enjoying time with his family, friends, dogs, golf games on greens worldwide, offshore fishing aboard his boat, skiing the Rockies, scuba diving and smoking fine cigars, according to his obituary. He also leaves behind a daughter, three stepchildren and five grandchildren.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com