Robert Gary Armbrister, Jr., "Robbie," 31 of Wytheville, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, after a short but valiant battle with cancer and challenging chemotherapy side effects.  Robbie was born April 17, 1991, in Danville, Virginia, and grew up in Martinsville, Virginia, until relocating to Wytheville in 2015.

Robbie became a "Hokie" at a young age, influenced by his granddad Armbrister, his dad, an aunt, and two uncles who attended Virginia Tech (and, later, his brother and a cousin).  On the Hokie "Enter Sandman" and "Let's Go, Hokies!" scales, Robbie must have ranked near the top.  And anyone seeing Robbie with his Virginia Tech cap covering his curly blonde hair knew he was a true Hokie fan!  If not attending a Virginia Tech football game, Robbie often could be found on the golf course, having picked up golf after high school.  He enjoyed playing rounds of golf with his friends and family, as well as a pretty day on the golf course alone.  He participated in various golf tournament fundraisers, carrying his 2019 Enhancing the Quality-of-Life Golf Experience team to a first-place win in the tournament.  Robbie never met a stranger—only made new friends, who instantly became part of his family.  The stories remembered among family and friends during his last earthly days pointed out many of Robbie's positive traits.  One characteristic prevalent in almost every story was his ability to communicate with absolutely everyone he encountered, and he would even pull in people that were not involved with his primary focus at the time.  He wanted to know everyone's story, and in each story, he found some commonality that bound that person to him and to his greater family.  And those commonalities, no matter how great or small, made all persons equal regardless of their walk of life, the color of their skin, or any other differences they may have, such that Robbie exemplified the quote, "Never look down on someone, unless you're helping them up."  Through all his pursuits, Robbie was a free spirit—uninhibited and carefree, yet intentional in bringing people together through his joyful personality, soft and infectious smile, endearing laugh, and often a special hug.

As he grew up in Martinsville, Robbie was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he was confirmed in the faith in December 1999.  He was active in Cub Scouts, earning the Arrow of Light, the highest rank a Cub Scout can achieve.  He progressed into Boy Scouts achieving the rank of Star Scout.  As a youth, Robbie participated in various organized sports, including basketball, baseball, and the sport at which he most excelled, soccer.  Robbie began playing soccer at age six on the Angler's Choice Marine team with the Piedmont Youth Soccer League.  Many of his long friendships began with these young teammates, and Robbie's positive and competitive spirit on the soccer field exemplified his desire to be the best version of himself to his friends, both on and off the soccer field.  Robbie was honored to be chosen to participate in Martinsville and Henry County's prestigious traveling soccer league as a Piedmont Hurricane.  Robbie's journey with the sport he loved continued through high school, where he played soccer all four years, helping his Martinsville Bulldogs attain championship seasons.  Robbie graduated from Martinsville High School in 2009.  He manifested his love for soccer beyond high school by adopting the England-based Manchester United Red Devils as his favorite professional team, always looking forward to watching them play their matches on the "telly" as he would say.

Robbie was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Gladys Ferguson ("Nannie"); his maternal grandfather, Winford Ferguson ("Wimpy"); and his paternal grandfather, Edwin Armbrister ("PawPaw").

Survivors include Robbie's parents, Lisa and Gary Armbrister (Wytheville), and his brother, Wesley Armbrister (Blacksburg).  Surviving also are Robbie's paternal grandmother, Della Armbrister (Wytheville); two aunts:  Sarah Beamer and husband Johnny (Wytheville) and Helen Boyd and husband Dean (Martinsville); one uncle:  Eddie Armbrister (Knoxville); and three cousins:  Elizabeth Beamer (Nashville) and Caitlin and Cleigh Armbrister (Knoxville).

A celebration to remember Robbie's joyous life will be held at the Wytheville Golf Club, 1325 W Lee Hwy, Wytheville, VA  24382, on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.  All who would like to remember Robbie are welcome to join us.  Robbie's parents will receive friends at their home at any time.

Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude for the love and care provided to Robbie by the medical teams of UVA Health, the Wythe County Community Hospital, Blue Ridge Cancer Care and the Highlands Emergency Air Rescue & Transport (HEART) service; and also, the staff of Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville.

In memory of Robbie's giving and caring spirit and his love for everyone he met, especially children, please consider a memorial donation to The Robbie Armbrister Memorial Family Services Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation of the New River Valley. Please make checks payable to CFNRV and mail to P. O. Box 6009, Christiansburg, VA  24068-6009.  The mission of Robbie's Fund is to provide, through the income generated by the fund, support to children, youth, young adults and young families with children under the age of 25 that are in crisis or need a hand up, who are located in the Virginia counties of Henry and Wythe.