Robert Burch Younger, Jr.

YOUNGER, Robert Burch, Jr., “Bob,” died Saturday, April 15, 2017, at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Burch Younger Sr. and Eunice Phelps Younger; and by his sister, Joyce Younger Cordon. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha Logan Younger; his daughter, Robin L. Younger; his daughter, Renee S. Younger and her husband, David H. Smith, of San Diego; and his daughter, Logan Y. Davis and her husband, Jeff Davis, of Richmond; and by four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Bob was born in Roanoke, Virginia and graduated from William Fleming High School in 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Force and learned to fly, eventually flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat off the flagship aircraft carrier USS Essex. On a bombing run during the battle of Okinawa, his aircraft was damaged by enemy fire. Unable to return to the Essex, he ditched in the Pacific. He recovered from his injuries in a stateside hospital. After the war, he enrolled at Virginia Tech and graduated with an engineering degree in 1949. He moved to Richmond, married, and eventually founded a small advertising company, Colonial Advertising Company, which served the advertising and promotional needs of central Virginia’s top companies and of countless small businesses from the 1960s until the 1990s. During his business career, he became active in the West Richmond Rotary Club, and later served as President. He was a charter member of Richmond’s Downtown Club and of Willow Oaks Country Club. Bob loved golf, ocean fishing, traveling, photography, and Virginia Tech football. He understood both the value of hard work and of Saturday cocktail hour with the voice of Frank Sinatra in the background. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A short service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Westminster Canterbury retirement community chapel in Richmond. A reception will follow in the November Gallery room from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m.