Robert Wilson Bivens (1924-2007) was born in Wingate, North Carolina, and died on April 1, 2007, of injuries sustained in a car accident in Fulton County, Georgia, near Atlanta. Among his many accomplishments, Robert Bivens graduated from high school at age 15, obtained an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University, served in the Signal Corps in WWII, and obtained a Masters degree in city planning from Georgia Tech. In Atlanta, as of 1960, he headed the Uptown Association, and then Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) in 1967-1973. As of late March 1973, he became the president and CEO of Garden Cities Corporation in Peachtree City. He assumed responsibility for development and marketing of the City. The Garden Cities Corporation was a “newly formed” subsidiary of Phipps Land Company (president, Joel Cowan), but it was terminated not long after Equitable refinanced the City in early 1977.

In 1975, Bivens was made president of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. That year he also began to to work for the further development of Peachtree City by becoming involved in the outdoor historical drama, “The McIntosh Trail.” From his initial idea, to the final production and debut as a part of the nation’s Bicentennial events, he saw the “McIntosh Trail" production as part of his plan to encourage cultural growth in the area. Obtaining grants from the State of Georgia and from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, the newly formed (Jan. 1975) McIntosh Trail Arts Council was led by vice president Robert W. Bivens and president Robert K. Price. With the play’s production as their focus, they oversaw the construction of an amphitheater, now called “The Fred,” for the presentation of “The McIntosh Trail,” penned by Dr. Kermit Hunter, in June 1976. The Council also planned museums and an arts complex, and sponsored the first Shakerag Invitational Arts and Crafts Festival in Spring 1976, prior to the play’s opening. The production won awards (Nov. 1975 and Feb. 1977) from the Stay and See America in Georgia organization, but after only one season and threatened with bankruptcy, the production was forced to close. Equitable felt they could not finance it, but the city of Peachtree City eventually took over the amphitheater and facilities.

After four years, at the end of February 1977, Robert W. Bivens left his Garden Cities presidency, stating that “One problem four years ago was that not many people knew about Peachtree City. I believe it’s now highly regarded.” He continued to be involved as a city planner and as of December 1, 1977,he was president of Louisville ( Kentucky) Central Area, Inc., where he remained through 1985. In Elmira, New York from 1986-1992, he again worked on an historical drama, this time linking Mark Twain to the city of Elmira. In 2005, he co-authored a book with his brother John A Bivens, II,titled For Great Cities... A Bold Initiative (Authorhouse, 2005), which is still available.