Robert STRAW

STRAW, Robert Whittle, 78, of Urbanna, went to be with our Lord on March 31, 2012. Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Melanie; and his son, David. He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 51 years, Beth Straw of Urbanna; sons, Robert of Switzerland, Matthew and his wife, Leslie, of Richmond; son-in-law, Richard Fox of Richmond; daughter-in-law, Becky of Richmond; and sister, Thelma of New York; 10 grandchildren, Ann-Christine, Sarah-Maria, Franziska, Jeannette Straw from Switzerland; Preston, Emily, Marybeth Fox from Richmond; Kathryn Straw from Richmond; Laura Jane and John Straw from Richmond; and a great-grandson, Matheo-Luca from Switzerland. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and

great-grandfather. He lived life to the fullest, his family always came first, but he loved sailing, fishing, living on the water in Urbanna, and his many friends. Bob always loved the arts, from the time he met Beth on stage in Norfolk in 1960. A happy man, he always believed in taking the high road. Bob was a trained police officer with the Norfolk police before serving in the U.S. Army in Korea. He had a long career with State Farm Insurance as Attorney-Negotiator until retirement. He was very involved in community activities such as serving as former President of the Central Middlesex County Rescue Squad, Master Mason for 38 years, member of the Kiwanis Club, member of Urbanna Baptist Church and Town Councilman of Urbanna. He was very active in serving his community until his last days. Rev. Jimmy Maroney will lead a memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2012 at Urbanna Baptist Church in Urbanna, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Urbanna Baptist Church or Central Middlesex Rescue Squad.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.