Ralph Philip "Phil" Hanes, Jr. (February 25, 1926 – January 16, 2011)∼WINSTON-SALEM - R. Philip Hanes, Jr., passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice in Winston-Salem at the age of 84. Phil was born in Winston-Salem, NC, on February 25, 1926, to the late DeWitt Chatham and Ralph P. Hanes, Sr. He attended Woodberry Forest School, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated from Yale University in 1949. Phil was recognized nationally and internationally for his contributions to the arts, entrepreneurship, and conservation. His legacy to Winston-Salem includes the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Stevens Center for Performing Arts, the Winston-Salem Arts Council, the North Carolina Dance Theater, the Stouffer's Plaza Hotel (now Twin City Quarter), the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, the Piedmont Opera Theater, the Trade Street Arts District . For the last two decades, he led efforts to encourage entrepreneurism and was the unwavering force behind the revitalization of Downtown Winston-Salem. A founder of the American Arts Council movement, Phil served on the boards of more than 50 national, state, and local arts agencies, most notably as a founding member of the National Council on the Arts and as founder and first chairman of the North Carolina Arts Council. He established the nation's first arts council in Winston-Salem. He was the recipient of three presidential appointments, three honorary University degrees and 24 arts awards, including the National Governor's Association Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts and the 1991 National Medal for the Arts. He founded Ampersand, Inc., a fund raising organization dedicated primarily to the arts and received the Association of Fund Raising Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Endowment for the Arts Chairman's Award for his commitment to the arts. He also assembled one of the most respected private collections of 19th century American Decorative and Fine Art in the country. In addition to his many local and national contributions for advancement of the arts, Phil was a lifelong conservationist. He founded two conservation organizations, served on the national boards of three others. He donated more than 1000 acres to help establish Stone Mountain State Park (NC). He and his wife Charlotte personally acquired and protected thousands of acres of property along the New River in southwest Virginia from unwarranted development including a hydro-electric Dam in 1976 and an ill-conceived prison in 2007. He was the former CEO of Hanes Dye and Finishing and served as a board member on almost every business and community organization in Winston-Salem. He made significant contributions to Wake Forest University and in 2003 received the Winston-Salem Foundation Award recognizing him for his financial and personal contributions enhancing the quality of life in Winston-Salem. Phil was a determined and dynamic visionary and shared his strategies for jump-starting the impossible in his book, "How to Get Anyone to Do Anything". Phil truly loved people and was at his best when leading the charge for those causes in which he believed. He was a master storyteller and motivator, and he loved sharing his knowledge of art, wine and mushrooms with his many varied and diverse friends. He did not tolerate fools, but could charm even the most obstinate with his intellect, sense of humor and boyish grin. Philip was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan Audrey Humpstone and his sister, Anna Hanes Chatham. He is survived by wife, Mary Charlotte Metz; his sister, Martha Hanes Womble; and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of his Life will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem. Memorial contributions may be made to Grayson LandCare, c/o Danny Boyer, PO Box 373, Independence, VA 24348; The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership Meade Willis Fund, 305 W. Fourth Street, Suite 2-E, Winston Salem, NC 27101 and The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Office of Advancement, 1533 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27117. Salem Funeral and Cremations of Winston-Salem is assisting the Hanes family.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal on January 17, 2011
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Phil Hanes, an unstoppable force for developing the local and national arts scene for more than 50 years and a champion of downtown Winston-Salem, died Sunday morning at the age of 84.
City leaders mourned his passing.
"I have known Phil Hanes almost my entire adult life, and he has been a dear friend, mentor, professional associate and confidant," said Milton Rhodes, the president and chief executive of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, which Hanes had loyally supported since the early 1950s. "I will miss him, and I cannot imagine Winston-Salem without him … Phil cared more about this city and worked harder for its betterment than anyone else I have ever known."
In advocating for the arts, Hanes would wear many hats, including those of philanthropist, board member, founder, consultant, art collector, publicist and policymaker. His legacy is felt most strongly on the revitalized streets of downtown Winston-Salem, at the UNC School of the Arts and at arts councils in Winston-Salem and around the country. And one day, it will be felt at Wake Forest University as well: Hanes' art collection, along with his home and 26 acres of prime real estate, will be given to WFU after his wife, Charlotte, dies.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal on January 17, 2011