Robert Baker Crawford Jr. was born on this day in 1900, in Winston-Salem, to Robert Baker Sr. and Hallie Cozart Crawford.
Robert, or “R. B.,” as he was known, graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in business administration. He began work immediately after graduation with Hanes Hosiery, and worked for the company during his entire working career.
He held several positions within Hanes Hosiery, such as office boy (beginning job), purchasing agent, secretary and member of the board of directors, vice president, president, chairman of the board, and vice president of the board of Hanes Corporation.
Some of his abilities and personal traits that made him a success at Hanes Hosiery also made him a success in a second career. He was called “the great builder,” or “Mr. Building Chairman.” At Hanes Hosiery, one of his jobs was to assist with their building projects, particularly with the details of the projects. And that suited his abilities well, as he was a detail man.
Soon he was sought after for overseeing community building projects, such as the construction of the swimming pool at the Old Town Club. This led to overseeing construction of the pools at the Red Shields Boy’s Club and the Children’s Home.
He supervised construction of the Twin City Club, Groves Stadium, the James G. Hanes Community Center, and the renovation of Reynolds Auditorium and the Robert E. Lee Hotel. One of his largest projects was overseeing construction work for the N. C. School of the Arts. He was the first president of the School of the Arts Foundation and the chairman of the school’s building committee. Crawford Hall, renovated in 1973 as the main auditorium on the campus for the school’s orchestra, opera and film programs, was named for him.
Gordon Hanes, who worked with Crawford at Hanes Corporation, presented the first Community Service Award from the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce to Crawford in 1969. Hanes made the comment at the presentation, “The best thing the Hanes Corporation did for Winston-Salem citizens was insisting that R. B. Crawford retire and help all of the people of the city.” And, it should be noted that R. B. did all of his “volunteer” work on his own time, not on Hanes Corporation time.
Crawford was married to Louisa Kochtitkzy Crawford, and he passed away in 1984.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
