Dr. Henry Taylor
Dr. Henry Taylor (1933-2019) Eagle Scout. Athlete. Veteran. Professor. Rotarian. War Eagle. Devoted Husband, father and grandfather.
Born in Tallassee, Alabama, he is survived by Mur Taylor, his wife of 62 years, his sons and their spouses: Ken (Phoebe), Greg (Karrie), Barry (Marv), and grandchildren Sally, Minx, Molly, Hudson, Sean, and Kane. He was the eldest of five children, Tom (Laura), Patricia, Martha, Naomi.
Known as “Hank” to his friends and grandchildren and “King” to the Camp Rockmont community in Black Mountain, NC, where he and Mur have been an integral part since the land was purchased from Black Mountain College in 1955.
Hank was a graduate of Auburn University and received his Ph.D. at Florida State University. He had two successful careers. First, he served 23 years in the Air Force and retired as a full Colonel. While in the Air Force, he flew 728 hours of combat in the Vietnam War and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for combat valor.
After retiring from the Air Force, he had a 21 year civilian career as a Professor of Psychology and director of the Institute of Aviation at the University of Illinois. He published over 100 scientific articles, presented 125 papers at conferences worldwide, created the schools Aviation degree program and helped raise funds to construct a multi-million dollar upgrade of Willard Airport.
In 2001, Hank and Mur retired and relocated full-time to Black Mountain. Upon returning, he helped create the Camp Diversity Foundation tohelp underpriveliged kids go to summer camp.
Hank was a devoted Rotarian, serving as president for local chapters in both Illinois and NC. A generous donor, he was passionate about Rotary’s mission, particularly its focus to eliminate polio.
The family is very grateful to the staff at the Health Center of Highland Farms and the NC State Veterans Home, as well as the communities of Meadowmont and Camp Rockmont for their caring support.
Behind every successful event, program, place,…there is a talented, tireless, passionate figure working on it’s behalf. For a place as big and far reaching as Camp Rockmont, there are several, but none have been bigger than “King” Henry Taylor. He was a giant in both my life and Rockmont’s life. I am extremely grateful for what King and Mur have meant to Cindy and me personally and professionally. We, like Rockmont, are better because our lives have shared time and space. “King” is missed, but not forgotten!
R David Bruce
