Robert "Rob" W. Bateman

Robert Wayne “Rob” Bateman, 70, Middletown, Delaware, passed away Saturday, May 18th, 2024, in Fairfax, Virginia, at the home of his step-daughter, Tashina Gorgone, after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born December 9th, 1953, to Robert and Jacqueline (Hebert) Bateman and was joined in 1956 by his little brother, Terry Bateman. Rob was preceded in death by his brother, his father, his mother and his ex-wife Donna Pedigo.

Rob loved children and always wanted a big family. He was thrilled when his daughter, Erica Bateman was born on August 4th, 1981. He reveled in taking her to ice skating lessons and competitions, and supported her when she went on to become an ice skating coach. In 2000, many years after his divorce, he met Vickie Gorgone, and became a step-father to her four children, Tashina, Carlina, Vincent, and Rose, who varied in ages from twelve to two. Rob truly was a devoted family man; it brought him joy to have the many children he had always wanted, and it showed. Not only did he support Erica in ice skating, he traveled back and forth between Maryland and Virginia every weekend to attend his stepchildren’s swim meets, basketball games, color guard competitions, homecomings and proms, and many other activities. He was always there when his family needed him - almost always with a camera in tow, snapping photos of the moment! Whether it was taking care of his ailing brother, father and mother, moving his children in and out of college dorms, traveling to Disney World, or simply attending school functions, he was there.

Rob graduated from Takoma Academy in 1972, thereafter attending the University of Maryland for his undergraduate degree, and he obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law. He worked in a variety of legal fields over the years, and, even after retiring (or one may say “recovering”) from practicing law, Rob’s passion for the law never left him. He later went on to inspire his step-daughter, Tashina, to become a lawyer. When Tashina was nervous about starting law school, Rob was quick to suggest movies like “The Paper Chase,” and share all of his old legal books – just so she would be one step ahead of her peers. Even cancer could not touch his desire to discuss court cases, new and old, as he regaled his family with stories from his time as a lawyer during their visits to the hospital, and advised Tashina (who did go on to become a lawyer) on strategies for her work until the very end.

Rob loved baseball, specifically the Atlanta Braves, and would share this passion with his children by either watching games with them on the TV or taking them to watch the games live. Vincent knew tickets to a Nationals game was always the perfect gift. In addition, Rob enjoyed gardening, and spent many hours happily fighting with Vickie’s garden, where he attempted to create a hospitable habitat for various flowers in rock-laden soil. No matter how many times the flowers died, Rob was always determined and optimistic, and his work paid off: even if briefly, his family enjoyed a flower garden each year.

Optimism and determination (almost to the point of stubbornness!) were traits that Rob brought to every aspect of his life. He loved food – especially seafood – and when he found a recipe for “seafood pasta” that everyone enjoyed, he made it dozens of times, each time tweaking the recipe to make it “better” (it was always perfect because he made it). While at Disney World with Vickie and his stepchildren in 2013, he was lovingly teased and called “bumbles” because he would fall behind the group to make sure he secured the perfect picture.

Rob also loved Batman and often tried to convince his children that, as Robert Wayne Bateman, he was the real Batman. Although he was never seen fighting crime, he was spotted numerous times making last-minute trips to retrieve forgotten items, ice cream runs for sore throats, taking photos of special events, and giving pep talks in order to save the day. When Rose wanted to attend various comic conventions, Rob was the one to drive her and attend with her – Batman shirt on proud display. When Carlina was homesick because her final college apartment was barren, Rob made a midnight drive all the way to James Madison University in order to fill the space with living room furniture, helping her feel more at home. These were just some of the many examples of his selfless and heroic acts. Rob was, in fact, a superhero in the lives of his children and was always willing to help them no matter the time or distance.

Rob is survived by his daughter, Erica Bateman, and his step-children, Tashina, Carlina, Rose, and Vincent Gorgone. His loss has left a tremendous hole in the hearts of all who knew him, but his legacy of love and kindness will live in our memories forever!

A visitation for Robert will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 9 to 11 AM at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. A funeral service will occur Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 11:00. A reception will follow in the funeral home catering room from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. A private interment will be held in Stevensville Cemetery.