Robert Deforest Bottom, 86, passed away November 12, 2013 after a protracted illness. A veteran of the United States Army Airforce, he was employed after World War II by the National Weather Service, serving as a supervisor with the Atlantic Weather Project (performing hurricane research when computers and satellites were in their infancy) and later as Chief Meteorologist at Norfolk Airport.
He was a founding (and lifetime) member of Plaza Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad (now Station 16/Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad), President of the Fire Company for 10 years and Captain of the Rescue Squad for 10 more.
He was preceded by his brother James Bottom of Leavenworth, Kansas, His granddaughters Jennifer L. Moots and June Marie Gilbert of Virginia Beach, VA.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, his sons, William, Robert and Jeffery, his daughter Lora Gilbert, his brother Edward, his granddaughter Jennifer Rickie, her husband Michael, great grandchildren Austin, Nelina, Alec and Arianna, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad.
