Robert Anthony Plant

Robert (Bob) Anthony Plant, 89, of Bethesda, MD passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janine, sons Philippe, David (Harriet), and niece Catherine. Bob will be fondly remembered as a loving ‘Pépé’ to Benjamin, Jackson, and Ronan. He is predeceased by his parents, Walter and Dolores, as well as sisters, Katherine, Dolores, and brothers, Paul, John.

Bob was born on April 16, 1937, in Washington, DC, where he grew up the oldest of seven children. He graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1954. He then attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, where he graduated in 1958 with a degree in Marine Engineering. After graduating, he went to work for the Moore-McCormack Lines and operated the steam engines on the S/S Argentina. While working on the S/S Argentina, he met his beautiful French wife, Janine. After his time at sea, Bob went on to earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University.

After graduating from Columbia, Bob worked as a mechanical engineer for Worthington from 1963 to 2003. During this time, he and his family lived in Taormina (Sicily), Tehran (Iran), Paris (France), where he learned to speak fluent French and to appreciate good wine and good food, and Bethesda, Maryland. His work took him all over the world; he traveled to many countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

Bob was committed to his family and forged many lasting friendships throughout his life. He will always be remembered as kind, welcoming, and one of the most generous men you would ever know. An active parishioner at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church on Capitol Hill, he remained a man of unwavering faith throughout his life.

Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the DeVol Funeral Home at 2222 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007. A mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday October 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 313 2nd St NE, Washington, DC 20002. Interment of ashes will occur in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Father McKenna Center (https://fathermckennacenter.org/), who offer a haven of hope and dignity to men struggling with homelessness and families facing food insecurity.