J. Robert Pritchard was born in Quincy, West Virginia, in 1916, graduated from St. Albans High School in 1935, and married Geraldine Allen in 1938. He served in the United States Navy during World War II where his main interests were electronics and the electrical industry.
With his wife by his side, he opened Pritchard Electric Company in Huntington. Even though the business started with no customers, they knew it would succeed and that their adherence to a philosophy of customer satisfaction would ultimately spell success. This successful business provided Pritchard with the means to help many organizations prosper with his financial support and personal energy.
He received many honors and recognitions. In 2002, the Cabell Huntington Hospital Dialysis Center was named the J. Robert Pritchard Dialysis Center. In 1995, he received the "Distinguished West Virginian Award" from Governor Gaston Caperton. In 1995, he was inducted into the Marshall University Business Hall of Fame. In 1988, he was inducted into the Junior Achievement of the Ohio Valley, Inc. Business Hall of Fame.
He has served on many boards and worked with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington, Huntington City Mission, United Way of the River Cities and the Boy Scouts of America-Tri State Council. He also received national recognition from the National Electrical Contractors Association in 1994.
Pritchard also established scholarships with the Big Green Club and the Marshall University Foundation.
