BIOGRAPHY:  Robert Waite Easley

Robert Waite Easley was born on June 7, 1908 in Chicago, Illinois.  He was the son of Moses M. and Melissa Busby Easley.  He graduated from the Benton Harbor High School in 1926. He attended Kalamazoo, Michigan State Teachers College.  He was employed by the United States Navy as the first construction compliance officer.  He also worked as labor consultant for the NAACP in New York City.  He retired in 1978 after serving 15 years in that position. As the executive director of the National Afro-American Builders Corporation, he helped organize more than 200 construction corporations throughout the United States.

He was married to the former, Lois J. Barnes on February 4, 1928.  They had seven children, a son, William R., and six daughters, Lona Ruth, Marion, Lois, Carol, Madeline and Charlotte. They also had 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Robert was affiliated with the Bethel A.M.E. Church of Olean.  He was a life member of the NAACP and was active in the Cattaraugus and Allegany County AFL-CIO Labor and Building Trades Council and served as president at one time.  He was a well-known Olean musician.  He managed the Bob Easley Band which toured during the 1930s, 40s and 50s.  He was also a member of Light of the West Masonic Lodge of Olean.

At the time of his death, Benjamin Hooks, CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People wrote to Mrs. Easley and stated:  “…I was greatly impressed by his (Easley’s) productivity, skill and the knowledge he possessed about labor issues.  During his tenure with the NAACP, our NAACP Units across the country relied heavily on his guidance and advice.  We certainly benefited greatly by the contributions he made.  He was not only an effective labor consultant; he was also a Life member of the Association and an esteemed member of our NAACP Family.” (September 19, 1991)

He died in 1991 at the age of 83.

Read an additional biography written by his daughter.