Robert Stegall Obituary

Robert Arthur "Art" Stegall passed away on Sunday February 9, 2025, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by his wife, Barbara, their daughter Mary and their son, John, as well as his church minister, Pastor Ken Sides and wife Marilyn.
Art was a special guy who touched so many people throughout his 73 years of life. He was an inspiration to all. It was evident before Art was even born that his life would be special. He was a miracle from the start, though at birth the doctors had little hope for him. Art defied the odds and lived a full life. Growing up his health challenges created connections to others that lasted his lifetime. He was easily recognized by others and remembered by his name "Art". Living his early years in a household of adults; his mother, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins cross the street on Floral Avenue made for Art to become a wonderful conversationalist.
He had the ability to tell an interesting story to anyone. Having a great sense of humor and quick wit, people did enjoy hearing his stories. He loved comedy movies and especially TV shows from the 50's, 60's and 70's.
His continued participation in Sounds of America as a young adult changed his life as this was where Art felt truly accepted and loved. Sounds of America carried in song a love for God and a love for the USA. Their choral performances were in Charlotte and many military bases. Summer tours were taken across the US and Canada and included both the Democratic and Republican Conventions. Over the years the group attended July 4th weekend reunions every five years.
God placed Art Stegall in a career with the City of Charlotte Department of Transportation at the age of 16. Summers he worked in with the Street Team painting curbs and making traffic signs. Following graduation from Garinger High, class of 1969, he pursued education at both UNC Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College in Engineering Courses. During 43 years of public service, Art researched, read manuals and participated in hundreds of workshops, conferences and NC DOT meetings for the Charlotte traffic computerized system from its first for Charlotte in the early 1970's to his retirement in 2014. Over the years as the city grew and additional traffic signals were needed, Art assisted the CDOT team with many projects. Initially there was the installation of the first computerized traffic system with many updates and upgrades. He oversaw the Traffic Control Center in City Hall working with the Charlotte Meck Police Department in establishing a Security Room in time for the Democratic National Convention. He enjoyed coordinating the traffic flow from Control Center Sunday afternoons for all Carolina Panthers NFL Games as well as the events at the Charlotte Hornets Arena and the Charlotte Knights Baseball Stadium.
Each spring the PGA Wells Fargo Golf Tournament was held at Quail Hollow Country Club and Art looked forward to meeting up with his retirement buddies from CDOT and assisting their loading and unloading the buses.
His personal life was most important. Meeting the love of his life, Barbara, began a life never thought possible. Their marriage was in 1979 at Resurrection Lutheran Church and then came the miracle births of their twins John Arthur and Mary Catherine in 1981.
Life was forever an adventure as both Art and Barbara parented their children well. Church, Scouts, sports, and trips every summer made memories. Their trips were named "field trips" as Barbara was then a schoolteacher. They traveled and learned in each trip going to Atlanta, Ga, Savannah, GA, the Outer Banks, Washington, DC (2 times), Charleston, SC, and Williamsburg, VA.
Art was an active of Stallings Methodist Church. He enjoyed helping with the Men's Breakfast and Annual Church BBQ that was held in October of each year. Art also supported and assisted Barbara in her role as the Church Preschool Director. "Mr. Art" purchased, assembled and maintained the "vehicle fleet" for the preschool: balance bikes, coupes, wheelbarrows, tricycles and wagons.
In their retirement years Art and Barbara shared their love of the coast of NC at Oak Island (Long Beach). It was here that they enjoyed time with family and friends.
Art was survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Barbara, his daughter Mary Harrell (Michael) and their children Nathan and Catherine, his son John Stegall (Lisa) and their children Zachary, Cason, and Kendall and a wonderful community of very dear friends.
The family has set up a special church fund to honor Art's memory. These memorials can be made to Stallings Church 1115 Stallings Road Matthews, NC 28104. Please designate "Mr. Art's Playground" on your gift.