Robert M. Hollings, Jr.

Robert Meyer Hollings, Jr., 63, of Mount Pleasant, died Friday, March 28, 2014. He was the husband of Karen Williams Hollings. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Hollings, Jr. are invited to attend his Memorial Service at 9:30 AM, Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 5 Clifford St. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening between 5:00 and 7:00 PM at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Robbie was born in Charleston on November 2, 1950, the son of Mary Fernhout Hollings and Robert Meyer Hollings. He attended Charleston Day School, Porter-Gaud School, and graduated from Clemson University in 1973. Following his graduation, Robbie was a co-owner of Carolina Nurseries, one of the largest commercial nurseries in the eastern United States. In later years, Robbie became an agent for Carolina One Real Estate. He was a member of The Charleston Top Producers' Club, Preservation Society of Charleston, Charleston Horticultural Society, Hibernian Society, South Carolina Society, Charleston Club and a past member of The City of Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals and The Town of Mount Pleasant Board of Zoning Appeals. Robbie was a master gardener and loved "playing in the dirt." He would start and end each day in the garden that he so carefully and thoughtfully designed. Many referred to him as "Nature Man" and he considered it the utmost compliment. Robbie was passionate about being outdoors in the Lowcountry or in the mountains surrounding his family's home in Highlands, NC. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and traveling. He and his wife, Karen, recently enjoyed a "bucket list" trip of a lifetime on a guided rafting trip through the Grand Canyon with family and several friends. Robbie was known for his enthusiasm and sense of humor. He was a gentleman, a friend, a spirited soul, and devoted father. Of all Robbie's life accomplishments, he was most proud of his children. Robbie loved and embraced their personalities, talents, and unique qualities. He was looking forward to welcoming his first grandchild. Robbie is survived by his wife, Karen Williams Hollings; two children, Robert Meyer Hollings III (Stacey) of Charleston and Emily Hollings Carley (Paul) of Naperville, IL; three step-daughters, Kelly Lesser Espinoza (Joaquin) of Washington, DC, Marianne Lesser of Mount Pleasant, and Katie Lesser of Charleston; brother, Peter F. Hollings (Mary) of Walterboro; two sisters, Julie Hollings Bower of Charleston and Pamela Hollings McConnell (Bright) of McClellanville; uncle, Senator Ernest F. Hollings of Isle of Palms; two aunts, Barbara Hollings Siegling of Charleston and Marie Hollings Epps of Fountain Inn; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and his "adopted son", Edward Polekhin of Kiev, Ukraine.