— A memorial service for Robert Eric Pendleton, 45, of Astoria, New York, and formerly of Athens, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Deacon Jeff Evans officiating.

Mr. Pendleton died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at his home of a pre-existing heart condition.

He was born March 26, 1967, in Athens, the beloved son of the late Dr. Henry Harwood Pendleton Jr. and Ruth Moore Pendleton. He was a life-long member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church and his baptism was the last service performed in the original church before it was rebuilt. Robert attended the Randolph School in Huntsville and graduated from Athens High School in 1985. After graduating high school Robert moved to Nashville and attended O’more College of Design. He then moved to New York, N.Y, to complete his studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.

Robert worked in the New York fashion industry for over 20 years, specializing in wedding and evening gown designs, and was accomplished in all facets of fashion from design to production.  Although Robert became the epitome of a New Yorker, he never lost his love for his Southern heritage and was continuously inspired by the elegance and opulence of the South.

Robert loved life and his friends and family. He was an extremely involved godfather to Devon Eloise Cummings and Zen Fredrick Iwakawa, children of his dear friend Catherine Espinosa, of Paris. Robert also played the role of devoted “uncle” to Helen and Grace Wiley, daughters of Joanna Shaw and Price Hendricks Wiley of Nashville. He took great pleasure in travel, fine dining and entertaining. During Robert’s many years in New York he became the “unofficial New York Ambassador” for countless friends from Athens. In the wise words of his godson Zen, “Uncle Robbie was funny, intelligent, kind, compassionate and creative.”

He is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Henry Harwood Pendleton Jr., and his brother, Henry “Nick” Harwood Pendleton III.

Survivors include his sister, Eve Pendleton Schrader; a nephew, Henry Winston Schrader and wife April; and great-nieces Madison and Adelyn Schrader.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert’s name to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church.