Robert W. McCaslin

Retired FBI Special Agent Robert William "Bob" McCaslin, 96, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 10, at his home in Old Town Alexandria.

Born on August 1, 1917 to Herbert and Elizabeth (Walsh) McCaslin, he grew up on the family's farm atop Norway Ridge on the New York and Pennsylvania border. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y., in 1939, and after post-graduate studies he joined the FBI as special agent in 1941.

Assigned first to the FBI field office in Little Rock, Ark., he later transferred to Newark, N.J., New York City, and finally to FBI Headquarters in Washington, where he met his future bride Wanda Larson, a bureau stenographer. The couple was married in 1953 in her hometown of Kalispell, Mont., and then settled in Old Town, where they raised three sons in the family's 19-century home, one of several historic properties Mr. McCaslin restored over the years.

A devout 60-year member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where his wife was the longtime parish secretary, Mr. McCaslin served as both Eucharistic minister and lector. He was past-grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 459, during which time he was instrumental in the founding of Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria. As president of the St. Mary's chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, he wielded hammer and nails and saw to the renovation and occupancy of numerous residential properties for the poor and needy.

Upon his retirement from the FBI in 1977, Mr. McCaslin became active in local, state and national politics, serving as chairman of the Alexandria Republican City Committee. Every Election Day he was the first to arrive and last to retreat from Alexandria's City Hall voting precinct.

A daily fixture in Old Town until the time of his death, he enjoyed spending weekends at his country home in White Stone, Va. But mostly he relished the company of his adoring family.

Mr. McCaslin was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda, in 1994; his brother, Dr. John "Doc" McCaslin of West Chicago, Ill.; and half-sister, Ida MacLean, of Elkland, Pa. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Tami McCaslin of Kent Island, Md; his son John McCaslin of Old Town; his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Alicia McCaslin of Old Town; his granddaughters Kerry, Melissa, Molly, Maddy and Lane; his grandsons Michael, Mark and Finneas; and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 6 to 8 pm, at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, Va. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Dec. 16, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 310 S. Royal St., Alexandria, Va. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Mr. McCaslin's name may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or Bishop Ireton High School, both in Alexandria.