Robert Charles Parker Jr.

Born on February 11th, 1937, in Rockaway Beach, New York, he was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Eleanor (Miller) Parker, his parents, Robert and Vera (Johnston) Parker, his brother, Paul Parker, and his sister-in-law, Mary Agnes (Miller) Blessing.

Captain Parker graduated from East Rockaway High School in 1955, the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1959, and the Naval Postgraduate School in 1965. His 30 years of naval service brought Robert, Eleanor, and their growing family from New York to Rhode Island, South Carolina, California, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and finally, Portsmouth, Virginia, where they lived for over 40 years.

At home in Portsmouth between Navy travels, Bob cherished time with Eleanor and their children. He was a perennial youth sports coach, a lifelong fan of his boyhood favorite Giants (both football and baseball), an active parishioner at the Church of the Resurrection, and the willing accomplice in Eleanor’s dinner parties, where dear friends and neighbors gathered frequently. Always active as a community volunteer, he was a member of the Portsmouth Area Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (PACMOAA), serving as its President for a number of years. In addition, he served as a United States Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer and a member of Virginia Senator George Allen’s military academy appointment committee.

Captain Parker is survived by his son, Robert C. Parker III of Seattle, WA, his daughter, Colleen P. Vorbach (Joseph) of Falls Church, VA, sister-in-law Dorothy Parker of Massapequa, NY, and brother-in-law Walter Blessing of Northport, NY.

“Grandpa Bob” is also survived by his three grandchildren, Leia Fecher (Josiah), Dylan Vorbach, and MaryFrances Vorbach. Over long summertime and holiday visits, he showed his love for them through hand-made toys, themed birthday parties, frequent tennis, golf, and swimming lessons, and an ever-growing collection of school shirts and hats, which he wore with pride.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, August 20th at Saint Philip Catholic Church, 7500 Saint Philip Court, Falls Church, VA 22042, following a viewing at 9 AM. A private burial at National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico will follow the funeral Mass.

The family is deeply grateful to Bob’s many devoted caregivers from Brightview Woodburn Senior Living, Home Instead, and Ascent Homecare, especially Antonia and Michael.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or the Military Officers Association of America Foundation (https://moaadonate.funraise.org/) are welcome.