Robert Bennett Everette

Robert Bennett Everette passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at the age of 93. A Celebration of Life will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster, Texas on Friday, April 3rd with visitation 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. and ceremony starting with military honors at 9:45 a.m. concluding by 11:00 a.m. with food and refreshments to follow.

Robert was born in Bladen County, North Carolina to Rosa Mae Grimsley (Everette) and Chester Everette on January 11, 1933. He graduated from Elizabethtown High School and joined the U.S. Navy. Robert worked his way up through the ranks to 1st Class Petty Officer and received a direct commission to Naval Officer Candidate School. After becoming an officer, he earned his wings and became a Naval Aviator. He retired with the U.S. Naval Reserve with the rank of Commander. Robert also served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Robert graduated from NC State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He worked with the Department of the Navy as a Special Weapons Engineer, U.S. Corps of Engineers as a Design Engineer and NASA as an Aerospace Engineer. Robert retired from NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in 1998 as Program Manager of Special Projects.

Robert was a long-time resident of Cocoa. He met his wife Betty on an Alaskan cruise and the two married in March 2000. Betty, a resident of Pasadena, Texas, and Robert spent their time between their FL and TX homes in between travels.

Robert is preceded in death by his brothers Lawrence (Denny), Sammy, George and Jack and sisters Nan and Theda. He is survived by his loving wife Betty, daughter Janette Everette, step-daughters Janice Stone (Tommy) and Jennifer Kerckhoff, grandson Austin Coates, step-grandchildren Victor Kerckhoff and Abby Hoefnagels, niece Linda Johnson, and nephews Dave, Tommy and Ralph (Jerry). The family wishes to thank FL neighbors April and Scotty for watching over his home and the exceptional care provided to Robert by caregiver Delmi, and Kristania and James, owners and their staff of Gold Star Living Personal Care Home.

Throughout his life, Robert cultivated many hobbies including duck hunting, NASCAR, aviation, and traveling the world. He was a lifelong learner, and appreciator of nature. He was never without a project, and spent many afternoons tinkering in his garage. His family will remember his resilience and inner strength, as well as his infamous motto- “Press On!”.

Robert will be laid to rest at Carver’s Creek Methodist Church in Council, North Carolina alongside other members of the Everette family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Revive Global Methodist Church in Pasadena Texas, or the charitable organization of your choice.