Robert Charles Garrish of Ocracoke died April 15, 2026, surrounded by family at Sentara Heart Hospital, Norfolk, Virginia.
Known as Bobby, he was the husband of Linda Garrish.
He was born on January 24, 1939, to Uriah Wahab Garrish and Maude Thomas Garrish on the midwife’s front porch overlooking Silver Lake.
Raised in a fishing family, Bobby was a private commercial fisherman for more than 50 years, only taking a break while serving in the Army during Vietnam.
He built his own boats and helped construct countless others for net fishing and crabbing. This legacy is carried on by his son-in-law Ernest Doshier and grandson Alan Doshier of Gecko Charters.
After retiring from the water, Bobby worked for the National Park Service briefly, then worked 21 years with the N.C. Ferry Division.
Bobby earned many nicknames in his lifetime. Known as Daddy, Poppy, and Big Bobby to his
Family, his friends named him Bobcat and the Cuban due to an infamous wild streak and piracy adventures.
He was a 32nd Degree Master Mason. His hobbies included driving fast, sharing fishing stories with Alan, feeding squirrels, gardening, holding court under the house, mowing fig trees, calling his children 10 times a day, dodging dingbatters on his golf cart and sleeping with one eye open in case someone tried to seal his “gas tank.”
He was preceded in death by his sisters Maude Ellen Balance, Brittina “Tink” Helpenstill, Grace Gaskill, and Chloe O’Neil as well as many beloved pets.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Christopher Styron, Darlene Styron (Ernest Doshier) of Ocracoke; Angel Garrish (Sara Rasberry) of Fayetteville, Charlene Scott (JR Scott) of Chesapeake, Virginia; a grandson Alan Doshier of Ocracoke; and an island full of extended family.
Bobby shared his unwavering, unconditional love with family and friends his entire life. It was an honor to know and love him in return.
To read Bobby’s and his cousin’s reminicences about life “back in the day” on Ocracoke, click here.
While not required, in lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to: Ocracoke Working Waterman’s Association, P.O. Box 1689, Ocracoke, NC 27960. www.ocracokewaterman.org Details of memorial will follow.