Robert E. “Bobby” Tart was a letter winner at Barton in both baseball and basketball, but it was his accomplishments – and the lives he affected – after graduation, that carved his place into the history books of North Carolina athletics.

Tart was born and raised in Dunn, N.C., and graduated from Dunn High School as a multi-sport star in 1947. He attended Barton for the next four years, making his mark on the baseball diamond and basketball court. Just before graduation, he was saluted as the Kiwanis Most Outstanding Athlete in 1951.

Tart played professional baseball with the Wilson Tobs for a year after leaving his athletic talents were utilized on U.S. Service Fleet baseball and basketball teams. He played in the All-Navy Basketball Tournament in 1953 and later suited up in the All-Navy Baseball Tournament. He received his naval discharge in November of 1955.

Tart worked in the family lumber business for several years before beginning an illustrious teaching/coaching career that spanned 30 years and affected thousands of lives. He started teaching in Erwin, and then he was hired at his alma mater, Class 3-A Dunn High, where he left a legacy from 1963-1985. He coached basketball, baseball, football, track and field, and served as athletic director. Dunn was crowned league football champ four times, winning 99 games in 14 seasons under his leadership. His teams also captured conference titles in baseball and basketball.

From 1985-92, he served as athletic director for 4-A Triton High School, which consolidated students from Dunn, Erwin and Coates. He coached in the East-West All-Star Football Game in 1979 and served on the N.C. High School Athletic Association Board of Directors.

His wife, Barbara Lynn Parker Tart, passed away in August of 1996. They have two children, Robbie and Lynn Hart Godwin.