Born September 28, 1934, Bob Butcher was the youngest of three children. He spent his childhood in Ginter Park, Richmond, where he formed some of his most lasting friendships. He attended Ginter Park Elementary School and then St. Christopher's School, where he graduated in 1953. While at St. Christopher's, he was active in whatever sport was in season.
Butcher earned his undergraduate degree in 1957 from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Eli Banana Ribbon Society. He was President of the PK German Dance Society. He went on to graduate from UVA Law School, paying his way by operating a Dairy Queen on Rt. 29. He often joked that he made more money at the Dairy Queen than he did the first few years practicing law.
After 18 years of law practice, he and others founded Investors Savings and Loan in 1974, where he later became Board Chairman and CEO. Working with the amazing people at the "squirrel bank" would always be the highlight of his career. While at Investors, his interest in real estate grew with numerous relationships forged through successful joint ventures in residential development and homebuilding, shopping center and mixed use developments.
Business successes aside, Butcher’s true passion was everything UVA. He served as President of the Virginia Student Aid Foundation (now VAF) and served eight years on the school's Board of Visitors. He was an avid UVA sports fan and supporter of the Athletics program, dedicating untold man hours to Virginia Football and his efforts to attract the best possible student-athletes to Charlottesville.
Butcher will be remembered for his wicked sense of humor, especially laughing harder than anyone else at his own jokes. He was a consummate deal maker, believing in handshakes rather than contracts, and taking people for their word. He was happiest listening to toe-tapping music with his lifelong friends, spending time with his family on vacation at Figure 8 Island, spoiling his dogs and spending hours filling pages of yellow pads with hand calculated numbers for his next real estate deal.
