Robert Drew Cashman Jr.

Robert (Bob) Cashman, Jr. of Edinburg Virginia passed away Monday February 24, 2025 at the age of 76. Bob was born on September 1, 1948 to Robert and Mary Matley Cashman in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended McLean High School (class of ‘66) and went on to study at St Leo’s college. He worked at the Knights of Columbus in Arlington before going to work for the Coca Cola company. While he enjoyed his work with the Coca Cola company, he left Coca Cola to work for Arlington County Public Schools where he remained for the next 29 years as a swim instructor, teacher and coach. He was instrumental in facilitating the aquatic rehabilitation program of Mr. James Brady, who at the time was the White House press secretary for Ronald Reagan. He spent countless days working side-by-side with Mr. Brady in the pool at Yorktown High School in Arlington. He and Dot Dunbar created the swim program shortly after he started working at Yorktown Pool. They crafted a program to teach elementary students how to swim and be safe in the water. They continued to evolve this program to include the elementary students up through High School. He taught hundreds of children how to swim! He is known in Arlington to most as “Coach Cashman”. His coaching career began at Bishop O’Connell as the head swim coach. He coached the Swanson middle school swim team and eventually the Yorktown High School swim team. He also coached Boy’s Soccer at both Bishop O’Connell and Yorktown High School. Bob was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Arlington for more than 50 years. He worked every position in the Columbus Club all of the way up to the President of the Club as well as Grand Knight. For many years, he ran the swimming pool during the summers at the Knights. He loved every minute of the work he did at Yorktown, Swanson, O’Connell and the Knights of Columbus. He loved teaching. He loved watching the elementary students he taught to swim to go on to become High School All American Swimmers. He loved his Brother Knights.

Bob is preceded in death by his loving parents, Robert and Mary Matley Cashman and brother Charles. He is survived by his daughters Kim (Nathan) Tanner, Kelly (Steven) Connor, his siblings Kathleen (Richard) Meade, Peter (Nancy) Cashman, grandchildren Drew, Evie and Lorelei, many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held at Murphy’s Funeral Home 1192 W Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046 on Wednesday March 5th between 5-8pm. A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St John the Beloved Catholic Church 6420 Linway Terrace McLean VA 22101on Thursday March 6th at 11:30 am. There will be a celebration of life held at the Knights of Columbus 5115 Little Falls Road Arlington VA 22207 following the Mass.