Robert Hamilton “Bobby” Wind
May 19, 1938 – May 13, 2021
Six days shy of his 83rd birthday, Robert Hamilton Wind of Cairo died. The former editor and publisher of The Cairo Messenger passed away peacefully on May 13, 2021 at home following several years of declining health. While his body began to fail, he never lost his spirit or sense of humor. At his side was his devoted wife, Janice B. Wind, who cared for him faithfully until the end as she had for the past 16 years.
Robert H. (Bobby) Wind was born on May 19, 1938 in Manchester, Georgia, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Wind Jr. of Cairo. Mr. Wind was the fourth generation of his family to work in the family’s newspaper publishing company. Having worked at The Cairo Messenger off and on as a youth he returned to Cairo in 1965 to work alongside his father in the business. Shortly after, his brother, Herbert W. Wind, also joined the firm and for the next three decades the brothers worked together along with their father until his passing.
Although Bobby Wind made his career in the newspaper, he began his working life in the classroom as a teacher at Warrington Junior High School in Pensacola, Florida where he met a fellow teacher who later became his wife, Margaret Anne Wind, the mother of his two children, who passed away Sept. 8, 1997. The couple were married on July 13, 1963 and together they had two sons, Randolph H. Wind and Patrick M. Wind, both of Cairo.
Mr. Wind was passionate about golf and attended the Professional Golfers’ Association of America school. He gave up the classroom and school teaching to become the golf professional at the Quincy, Florida Country Club. His love of golf never waned and he was a fixture at the Cairo Country Club, now Tired Creek Golf Course, until his health would not permit him to enjoy the game any longer.
A 1956 graduate of Cairo High School, Wind went on to graduate from Troy State College in Troy, Alabama. During the 1980s, Mr. Wind would frequently work to recruit Grady County youth to attend Troy and would assist those who did not have means to attend college to obtain scholarships and financial aid. It was not uncommon for Mr. Wind to telephone the coaches at Troy to sing the praises of a Cairo High School athlete. He always believed that he was no better than anyone else and that everyone deserved to be treated with kindness and fairness. Those less fortunate had a special place in his heart.
In addition to playing thousands of rounds of golf over the course of his lifetime, Wind was also active in the leadership of Cairo Country Club and served many years on its board of directors and served as its president. He was also active through his working life on numerous volunteer boards and committees, often assisting with the public relations and marketing for various school and civic groups. He was a member of Cairo First United Methodist Church.
Wind is survived by his wife, Janice B. Wind of Cairo; sons, Randolph H. Wind and his wife Mesha C. Wind and Patrick M. Wind, all of Cairo; a grandson, F. John Wind, II of Athens; a granddaughter, Olivia M. Wind of Cairo; his brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert W. Wind of Cairo; his nephew, Herbert S. Wind of Cairo; his niece, Melodee Loeffler of Bainbridge; as well as first cousins, Rebecca A. Wind of Pearson, Georgia and Robert E. Wind Jr., of Cairo.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Margaret Anne Wind; and an infant brother, Marvin Stephens Wind.
A graveside service for Mr. Wind will be held Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. at the Cairo Cemetery. The Rev. Christy Bandy will officiate with the assistance of the Rev. Ike Powell, a classmate and friend of the deceased.
Those wishing to make memorials in the name of Mr. Wind are asked to make contributions to the music ministry of Cairo First United Methodist Church, 318 South Broad Street, Cairo, GA 39828.
