Robin M “Rob” Parker, 73, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away March 12, 2022 from cancer. He was born on July 6, 1948 in Los Angeles, California to Roswell and Loretta Parker. He graduated from San Jose State University in 1972, where he met his wife, Lynda. After Rob and Lynda were married in 1972, Rob joined the Navy and became a Naval Aviator. He had assignments in Florida, California, the Netherlands, Virginia, Texas, and Alaska. Rob retired as a Captain after 26 years of service. Over the course of his military career, his awards included: the Legion of Merit, multiple Meritorious Service Medals and Navy Commendation Medals, various unit citations, and deployment ribbons. After a full military career, Rob went on to get an accounting degree at George Mason University and began a second career as a Certified Public Accountant.
In 2007, Rob retired a second time and he and Lynda moved to Virginia Beach to be close to good friends and enjoy the beach life. In retirement, Rob was very active with his church, St. John the Apostle where he was a fourth degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He put the skills from his two careers to good use by volunteering hundreds of hours providing free tax preparation assistance through AARP and flying those in need of medical assistance through the Angel Flight network. When not helping others, he spent his days gardening, enjoying the pool, at happy hours with friends, and visiting his kids and grandkids.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynda Jean Parker; daughter, Katye (Matthew) North of Alexandria, VA; daughter, Kellye (Thomas) O’Brien of Natick, MA; son, Russell (Stephanie) Parker of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren: Zachery North, Averie O’Brien, Robby Parker, Maggie North, Nolan O’Brien, Lila Parker, and Brightyn Parker; sister, Terry (Bob) Stote of Gulfport, FL; sister, Jany (Tom) Leiser of Emerald Isle, NC; sister, Polly Parker and her partner Steve Enright of Friday Harbor, WA.
He was predeceased in death by his parents Roswell and Loretta Parker.
Rob’s greatest joy was his family and spending time with them. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, a caring “Pop” to his three kids, a devoted “Gipper” to his seven grandkids, and a loyal friend to the many that knew him. He will be dearly missed by all.
The family would like to thank the many doctors and their caring staff who worked tirelessly to find a cure including Dr. Sunil Singhal, Dr. Melina Marmarelis, and Dr. Keith Cengel at University of Pennsylvania Med Center and Dr. Craig Franzman at Cancer Specialists of Tidewater. Additionally, many thanks to the doctors and nurses at Virginia Beach General Hospital and the compassionate staff at Sentara Hospice House. Rob was blessed to have so many good people with him during this journey and the family is eternally grateful.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 26 at 2:00 pm at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 1968 Sandbridge Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. A reception will follow in the church commons. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rob’s name can be made to the St. John’s Parish Hall fund.
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Mass of Christian Burial
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church
1968 Sandbridge Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
March 26, 2022
2:00pm
Lynda,
Our hearts are heavy for you and those who love him in their loss, but we have the joy of knowing that Rob is embraced by our Lord this is only “goodbye for now”.
The world has lost a wonderful servant of God, of his country, and of his community. I looked forward to his continued guidance. Alas, he was needed by a higher power.
May flights of angels send him to eternal rest.
Hello Lynda. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. May your memories together over 50 years sustain you during this time of grief.
Sincerely,
Irene Kane
Oh Lynda I’m so sorry to hear this. I know what a difficult time this will be for you and I pray for Gods comfort for you.
I know when Bob died my children were my greatest gift.
May God bless you and hold you close.
With love,
Nancy Waldron
Dear Lynda and Family,
“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” John 16:22
Our deepest condolences, love, thoughts, and prayers are with you. May our Heavenly Father guide you through this time of sorrow with the light of his love. We pray that He will comfort you and provide you with courage, healing, and hope.
Lynda as terribly sad as this time is, we can take solace in the beauty of our faith knowing that for Rob, life did not end but only changed. Yes, this gallant Warrior’s physical presence has relocated to his new Heavenly Airdrome, but his magnificent bravery, example, faith, inspiration, humor, love, kindness, and spirit will remain with us always.
“Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon him.”
Our love and prayers are with you.
Dear Brother Rob,
Bravo Zulu and Charlie Mike.
Please keep a good eye on us from your new Station.
Thank you for all.
“Attention All Angels, Attention on Deck- Angel Flight Commander Arriving” – FOUR BELLS
V/R VJ
Brother Bill
My deepest sympathy to Tom and Jany for the loss of her brother Rob. May God be with him. Your dear friend in Florida.
Dear Lynda and Family,
You are in our prayers asking God to provide you with strength and wisdom to face each new day. Rob is a prayer warrior who now resides where we all hope to be, one day, when we are called. It is written in the Book of John 3:16, “God so loved the world that he gave His only Son so that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life.” Our Faith reminds us that Rob graduated in his spiritual life, and you will meet up with him again. Rob’s kindness, intellect, sense of humor, dedication, love of God, family, the U.S.A. and neighbor remains with us. What a beautiful tribute to have been married for 50 years! We are so fortunate to call you two friends. We love the Parker Family. “Fair Winds and Following Seas, until we meet again!”
So sorry to hear of Rob’s passing. Prayers for Rob and all the family. Janet and Phil Sigler.
Lynda~~I just heard the sad news about Rob’s passing~~I am so sorry. I have fond memories of all of you during your Fairfax years. Please pass on my thoughts & prayers to your wonderful children~~especially Kellye.
Fair Winds, My Brother.
Guess you’ll be around huh?
Latitude 26. Don’t forget.BTW
How could you leave me here, with only sisters for siblings. ?I’ll get for you for this. Que le vaya Bien y con Dios. Nos vemos🙏🏼 And look out for Ukraine would ya? Over and out!