Robert Eugene Girton Jr.

Robert Eugene Girton, Jr., 78, of New Bern, NC, died on February 19, 2026 at Carolina East Medical Center, New Bern, NC. Bob was born on April 17, 1947, the only son of the late Robert Eugene Girton, Sr. and Mildred Mary Fallon Girton.

He grew-up in Kensington, MD, right outside of Washington, DC, and attended Albert Einstein High School. He tried the local community college, but decided that was not for him.

In 1966, he joined the U. S. Coast Guard and was stationed on the US Coast Guard Cutter Chilula, at Fort Macon, NC until his Honorable Discharge in 1970 . While there, he met his wife of 55 years and they moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where Bob worked as a Power Plant Operator for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

After several years in California, and missing East Coast family, Bob and Sandy moved back to Maryland where Bob worked at the Curtis Bay U.S. Coast Guard Shipyard, in Baltimore, as a Marine Machinist. Later in life, another relocation took them to New Bern, NC to be with his wife’s aging parents. In New Bern, Bob worked for Hatteras Yachts.

His love of cars and anything mechanical began during his teen years with the purchase of a red, Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite. All throughout life, he enjoyed rebuilding, restoring, and driving numerous sports cars, trucks, tractors, and cars in general.

The love of nature and Civil War history began at a young age, when he became a Junior Naturalist through the National Capital Parks Service in the Washington DC area. This continued throughout his life, with numerous adventures and explorations of National Parks and historical sites. Later in life, he and his wife spent many happy hours researching personal genealogy and history.

Bob was a thoughtful, kind, and considerate man who always put others before himself. He always gave careful thought before he spoke, being cognizant of how powerful words can be. He never said an unkind word about anyone and always had a supportive word for his family and friends. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra Scott Girton of New Bern, NC; sister, Suzanne Girton Nuttman, of Sacramento, CA, brother-in-law, Paul Schulze, of West Port Island, Maine, and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters; Mary Elizabeth Girton, Kathleen Schulze, and Patricia Ann Miller.

A Memorial service with military honors will be held at New Bern Memorial Cemetery on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 2 pm. Services will be held under the Pavilion.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Kellenberger Room (genealogy and history section), New Bern-Craven County Library, 400 Johnson Street, New Bern, NC 28560 or to a charity of your choice.