The Honorable Roberto Mark Inclán

The Honorable Roberto Mark Inclán, 74, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, passed away on June 15, 2025. Born September 4, 1950 in Havana, Cuba, he was the son of the late Dr. Carlos Felix Inclán and Mercedes Maria de la Torre Pollack. From the age of two, he was cared for by his nanny, Berta Maria Ruiz, who brought him to the States and remained an important part of his and his children’s family. Immigrating to the United States at the age of 10, he affectionately called Tryon, North Carolina his childhood home. In 1969, he graduated from St. Paul’s Catholic School, an all boys boarding school, in Covington, Louisiana.

A proud Wofford College Alumnus (’73), he was a fixture in the stands at Gibbs Stadium, where he attended games with his family and —in later years —proudly cheered on his son. Following his graduation from Wofford College, he and his bride, Charlene Duncan Inclán, headed to Columbia, South Carolina, where he attended the University of South Carolina Law School. Sustained by tomato sandwiches, Charlene’s love and the promise of the American Dream, he completed his Juris Doctorate at the University of South Carolina Law School and gained admission to the South Carolina Bar in 1978. Shortly thereafter, he became a staff attorney for the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, Social Security Administration, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Upon his return to Spartanburg, he went into private practice where he handled cases big and small.

Over the subsequent 28 years, he supervised litigation at State Auto Mutual and developed meaningful relationships with his colleagues-turned-lifelong friends. After his retirement, he served as the first Hispanic-American magistrate in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he presided over his court with the philosophy that both the letter of the law and compassion held weight on the scales of justice.

Alongside his professional success, his highest calling was as a loving husband, father and abuelo, above all else. He was married to the love of his life, Charlene, for over 51 wonderful years. As anyone who ever spoke with Roberto knew, they have four children, Molly Ann Inclán, Katherine Inclán Britton (Tim), Dr. Paul Mark Inclán (Meagan) and Robert Charles Inclán (Hannah), with whom he spent countless hours on soccer fields, cross country courses, football fields, basketball courts and every school event. One of his greatest joys in life was being an abuelo to his three precious granddaughters: Eloise Britton, Millie Inclán and Adeline Inclán.

He and his mother were sponsors of the Block House Steeplechase in Tryon, North Carolina, a day he looked forward to spending with friends and family every year. In the summer, he enjoyed vacationing in Destin, Florida, where quality time with family, morning walks, ocean swims and caramel apples sustained him. As a believer and active member of the church, he and Charlene taught ninth-grade Sunday School at Morningside Baptist Church for many years. In his later years, he took up gardening and could not visit a farmers market without bringing home a new plant that he was excited to add to his yard. He loved working out at the Middle Tyger YMCA in the Livestrong program and was an integral part of the Active Seniors Class but what he really loved were the people of the Y and the community he found. Those who knew him best will miss his joyful spirit, quick-witted banter, jovial laugh and the light he brought into every room. He had an uncanny ability to turn strangers into friends in a matter of minutes.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren he is survived by his favorite golf partner and brother-in-law, Dr. James L. Duncan, Jr. (Joanne), and his brother-in-law, Robert Lawson Duncan, as well as many nieces and nephews who affectionately called him Uncle and Tío Robert. He is also survived by his constant companion, Mila, who he took on daily car rides and prepared chef-level meals in her doggie bowl.

He was predeceased by his mother, his biological father, his stepfather, Mark Alexander Pollack, who formally adopted him as an adult and his brother, Carlos Clemente Inclán.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 393 E Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29302. The family will receive friends before the service from 12:30-2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, his family would like donations to be made to the Middle Tyger YMCA (https://www.spartanburgymca.org/donate/), 720 Shoals Road, Duncan, SC, 29334, designated in memory of Roberto M. Inclán. He loved the YMCA and said their programs profoundly changed his life in his later years so his family would like to bless the place that meant so much to him.