Final Salute

Robert (“Robbie”) was born March 21, 1946, in Elkton, MD. He is pre-decreased by his wife of 57 years, Kathleen Francis Morris, his mother Jennie (Mickie) Groves Ashley, step-father Reggie Ashley, and his brother Oakley “Buddy” Washburn. He is survived by daughters Barbara Anne Morris Sutelan (Charles) and Laurie-Anne D’Angelo (John) and his grandchildren: Edward (Amanda), Rachel, Louie, and Andy. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Billy, Carol (Chris), Douglas (Retha), Barbara (Adam), Timothy, Maureen, Theresa (Bill), Mary (Ronnie), and Sue as well as his nieces and nephews: Kelly (Danny) (and their son, Duncan), Joey, Bridget (Ryan) and their son, Owen. Robbie is also survived by many friends he considered as family, including his neighbor, Tom Sobers, Tom’s daughter Allie and other members of Tom’s family. If you were a friend of Robbie’s you were family.
At 16, Robbie left school and joined the volunteer fire department of Annapolis, MD. With the permission of his mother, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1963. He met the love of his life, Kathleen Barry, and married her on March 20, 1965. They shared a wonderful life together filled with family, friends, travel, and lots of humor. Robbie always remembered to take life seriously when needed, but also to enjoy a good laugh and a wicked sense of humor.
Robbie rose among the ranks (a Vietnam Veteran onboard the USS America), despite not having any formal education beyond a GED, which he earned with his mother-in-law in the early 1970s. He continued to rise up the enlisted ranks to Senior Chief until 1981 when he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) 2. His first ship as a young officer was the USS Inchon. He continued to make advancements in the US Navy until his retirement in 1993 as a CWO-4. During his time in the Navy, he served with the Seabees, Damage Control Assistant (DCA) onboard the USS Ponce, and later as Fire Marshal onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. After his retirement of 30 years with the US Navy, he worked for defense contractors until his final retirement.
Outside of his career, Robbie could be found tending to his garden, improving his home, bowling, and playing darts with friends – always with a smile on his face and lots of laughter. He was the “Dad-Joke Pro”. He could make his daughter laugh so much, sometimes much to the chagrin of Kathleen, who simply would say with a stern look and low voice “Robert ”
He loved his grandchildren so much that his last “bucket list” items included attending his oldest grandson’s wedding and his second grandson’s college graduation the very next day – both in separate states. Picking up his grandchildren from school in his red pickup truck, included fun music and laughter. He loved being a “Pa” to Edward, Rachel, Louie, Andy, and Duncan (his great nephew, but considered his grandson).
Also, not to be excluded, Robbie leaves behind his beloved Goldendoodle, Abbie Doodle (14). She stood by his and Kathleen’s side as they fought the good fight with their respective cancers. Abbie will miss her “my man” so much and we know that when she crosses over her rainbow bridge, she will be in the arms of her human parents, Robbie and Kathleen.
Visitation will be at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Colonial Avenue, Friday, May 26, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00, and a memorial service to follow. Family and friends are invited to share stories and food at the home of the Morris’ after the memorial. Online condolences can be made at www.hdoliver.com/obituaries

Published by H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments – Norfolk Chapel on May 23, 2023.