Robert A Larkin

Robert Ashby Larkin, 61, passed away January 18, 2015. He had been ill since Spring with chronic conditions associated with congestive heart failure. A graveside memorial will be held at 12 noon. EST, February 7, 2015 at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, VA.

An Arlington native, Bob was born December 26, 1953. An only child surrounded by close-knit family, he was loved and doted upon. Recalling his early years in the now-Tysons megaplex, he would cite the family's farmhouse-like environment as the imprint to a lifelong interest for collecting antiques, a passion shared with his closest friends.

Following high school graduation, he began work as a bank teller at Columbia First Federal Savings and Loan, leaving as head of that department. He indulged his antique passion for a couple years at Ruff and Ready Furnishings in Washington, DC. He returned to professional life at Washington Passport and Visa Service in DC where he excelled at processing passports and visas and counseled travelers for the past 25 years. He took great professional pride in his work, finding it both challenging and awarding. His was a voice many clients were happy to have at the other end of the line as he navigated them through tight deadlines and multiple destinations.

Bob formed lasting relationships with several antique dealers who became close friends. He was a habituate of the Georgetown, Eastern Market, and Civitan flea markets, sometimes as a vendor, sometimes a shopper. For several years at Eastern Market, he operated a regular booth, MerryMart, named for his mother. MerryMart was noted for its glassware, especially featuring cobalt blue glass, eagerly sought by the surrounding Capitol Hill neighbors.

He loved nothing better than a road trip through Maryland and Pennsylvania. Alone or with friends, he pursued his passion for Old Paris porcelains, Cranberry glass, Jasper ware and his much-loved Flow Blue and Havilland china. These he displayed prominently in his home in numerous curio cabinets acquired through the years.

In later life, he particularly enjoyed being with close friends, sitting around a kitchen table sharing stories and laughter, or sometimes the impromptu dinner party capped off with an Irish Coffee at Mr. Henry's on the Hill.

Bob Larkin was a loving soul, sincerely free with his compliments to strangers and friends alike and made lasting impression on all who met him. His friends and professional family will miss him greatly, among them Ken Ceccucci (Spencer Holland), Joe Munroe, and Gary Riley as was well as Bob Hincherick, and Hernan (JR) and Blanca Diaz. Bob Larkin was a precious man to his friends and the many who knew him and mourn his passing—too numerous to list here. We love him dearly and will miss his sunshine.

Flowers for his memorial may be delivered toNational Memorial Park in Falls Church, VA.