Ryan Chandler
Gramps, as he is known to us grandchildren, was all you could ask for and more as a grandparent. I have great memories of hiking with him on and around Mt. Mitchell, riding the ski-bike down their terrifyingly steep driveway when it snowed, and always keeping a sharp eye out on the trails for No Head the notorious maneating, flat-headed bear. He helped instill in me a lifelong love of nature and birds; he got me a National Audubon field guide and would take me to the rookery on Skidaway Island to see all the different species. I remember him encouraging me when I would ‘cold-cock’ a driver shot on one of the Ocean Isle courses. I was fortunate to get spend a good bit of time with Gramps and Grammy when I was growing up and have nothing but fond memories of my grandparents. I miss Gramps a lot but am very grateful I got to know and spend time with the man.