Robert "Bob" Payne, III, D.PH

On, Monday, November 28, 2022 Robert (Bob) Harrill Payne III, D. Ph, 82, transitioned peacefully, as he lived, to his forever home, and RAN to the arms of his Heavenly Father.  He’s reunited with his parents, Bob Payne Jr. of Tellico Plains and Idella McDonough Payne of Chattanooga, and infant sister, Bobbie Jean.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Karen Koscomb Payne; cousins, Susan Seltzer, Ann  (Randy) Burt, and Shirley Downes; sisters and brothers-in-laws, Barbara (Peter) Matz, Marilyn Miller, and Deborah (Richard) Owens; and three generations of special nieces and nephews.

Bob’s education included Eastdale Elementary, Chattanooga High, UTK, and the UT Memphis Medical College as a Doctor of Pharmacy.

Bob was Director of Pharmacy Services for several Chattanooga Hospitals and retail pharmacist for individual and chain pharmacies before partnering in starting the Hauck Pharmaceutical Co. in Atlanta, GA.   Hauck Pharmaceuticals later sold to Shire Pharmaceuticals of England.

When he could no longer travel due to inherited degenerative spine disease, Bob got re-certified as a retail pharmacist and worked for BiLo Store pharmacies until disability retirement.

He enjoyed sharing about Jesus, reading, golf, caddying on the Senior Tour for his friend Dave Ragan, UT Sports, and his work-out / conversation friends at the Shallowford YMCA.

For 26 years, as a Qualified National Marketing Directors with the Juice Plus Company, Bob and Karen were educators for nutritional health.  At the age of 70, despite disabilities, Bob began his second career as a Certified Nutritional Counselor.

He was a Christian and member of First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, and hosted Sunday School as part of the Lee Anderson Class rotation.   For 24 years under the World Missions Dept., he and Karen volunteered in the First Friends ministry to international college students, and served as the directors for a recent ten year period.  Bob had lasting relationships and fond memories of students from around the globe who knew him as an “American dad” and mentor.

Visitation is at the Chattanooga Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Thursday evening, December 1, and on December 2, from 11:00 A.M. to noon in the First Presbyterian Church connector 554 McCallie Ave. prior to the memorial service at noon in the adjacent Sanctuary. Burial will follow at 2:00 P.M., Chattanooga’s Greenwood Cemetery.

Bob expressed heartfelt gratitude to his caregivers Reagan, Donna, Donnee and Kristy; to his special homecare nurses Janna, Dusty, and Jeremy; and to the church staff and congregation.

Karen respectfully requests any memorial contributions be made to the First Friends ministry at First Presbyterian Church’s World Missions Dept.

You may share condolences to the family at www.heritagechattanooga.com

Pallbearers will be Mohnad Alotaibi, Jim Cate, Bernardo Cedano, Cory Colquette, Donald Holwerda, Michael Lapihuska, Sudip Manandhar, and Gary Reid.

Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.