Abingdon, VA

Robert “Rob” Morris Salyer, 54, of Abingdon & Meadowview, VA went to be with the Lord on August 4th, 2017 after a long & courageous battle with cancer. He was born August 20th, 1962 in St. Paul, Virginia to the late Bobby and Cynthia Salyer. Rob graduated from St. Paul High School in 1980, and attended the Citadel in Charleston, SC before graduating from Radford University. He taught thousands of children over his tenure of almost 28 years in the Washington County Public School system, serving as a P.E. teacher at Rhea Valley and Watauga Elementary schools, and was also a professor at Virginia Highlands Community College.

As everyone who knew him could attest, Rob was passionate about everything he did in life. He spent several years painstakingly restoring his home, Edmondson Hall, to its 1856 grandeur and successfully had it added to the National Historical Registry. Thousands of school children were able to visit this home during the Living History Event that he founded for the school system and which was an annual event for over 20 years. He owned several businesses throughout the years including his current private fitness training facility, “The Barn” in Meadowview, VA and through his efforts, scores of people were able to improve their health and well-being. Rob was a devoted member of the historical reenactment community both locally and nationally. His work as a reenactor landed him a role in the film “Gods and Generals.” He was an active member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. His most recent accomplishment was the long-awaited publishing of his historical Civil War book, “The Myth of Virtue: Histories’ Lies of the Civil War”.
Rob was a giant man, with a giant heart and giant dreams. He never met a person he wouldn’t stay to talk to and he never judged a man or woman for anything other than their character. He brought a sense of wisdom and humor to all, and he never tried to take himself too seriously. His battle with cancer was done the same way he dealt with his entire life – with all of his spirit and soul. He was a presence in the community and an inspiration to so many who will always remember him like the Southern Gentlemen that he so admired. His grace, wisdom, integrity, wit, & strength will live on while his soul soars with the angels above.

Rob is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Amy Stiltner Salyer and stepson Alex Johnson of Abingdon, VA; his brother Kevin Durr Salyer of Gray, TN; his sister Haley Elizabeth Salyer Perez and husband Ruben of Bristow, Virginia; nieces and nephew, Emma, Lauren, and Ryan Stiltner of Grundy, VA, Ada Ireland Perez, Eleanor Salyer Perez, and Vivian Morris Perez all of Bristow, VA.
Visitation will be Tuesday, August 8th, 2017 from 5-8 p.m. at Frost Funeral Home. Services will be held Wednesday, August 9th at 11:00 a.m. in the Frost Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Allen Jesse officiating. Interment will follow at Temple Hill Cemetery in Castlewood, VA where he will be laid to rest beside his parents and ancestors in the Salyer family plot.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.frostfuneralhome.com
FROST FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, ABINGDON, IS HONORED TO SERVE THE SALYER FAMILY.