Robert Sylvester "Bob" Holmes

1930 - 2023

Anacortes - Robert Sylvester Holmes, 92, of Anacortes unexpectedly passed away on March 9th while on a short vacation in Reno, Nevada. Bob was born on December 15, 1930 to Capt (USA) and Mrs. Thomas R. Holmes at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. His early life was spent with his military family to wherever they were called to be Kansas, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland or overseas.

Bob graduated in 1947 from the Tokyo American School as a Salutatorian and from the Longwood Preparatory Academy in Bronx, NY as a Valedictorian in 1948. He graduated in 1952 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Bob earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1958 and 1959, respectively.

Bob was a graduate of Basic and Advanced Officer courses at Fort Benning, GA and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He launched his military career with the U.S. Army in their 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in 1952. Bob then served in Korea with the 2nd and 7th Infantry Divisions. His other tours included Fort Rucker in Alabama, Fort Benning in Georgia, Hawaii and two tours in Vietnam - one with the 1st Infantry Division and 23rd Infantry Division more commonly known as the Americal Division which was an infantry division of the United States Army during World War II and the Vietnam War.

One of the most important moments of his career was a tour as a research assistant at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where he was involved in the designing and production of nuclear weapon components. His last tour of duty with the service was as a Director of Shock Physics for the Defense Nuclear Agency.

Bob was a recipient of many awards, citations and decorations throughout his military career, receiving: The Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star (3), Air Medal (2), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal, the Ranger tab, the Parachute wings, the Combat Infantry Badge, and various campaign ribbons.

Upon his retirement from the service, he was recruited by the Boeing Aerospace Company from 1974 to 1986 to serve as their Project Manager in Research and Development. Bob and his wife Marilyn moved to Anacortes in 1996.

Notwithstanding his high-profile military career, Bob ensured he was present at family gatherings which he loved, fishing, crabbing in the San Juans, tennis with his friends at the Bellevue Club, good food, cooking, the New York Times crossword puzzles, weekend trips to Laughlin, sports on TV and especially all University of Washington Husky sports. He enjoyed living in the Pacific NW and Anacortes especially with its temperate climate, beauty, friendliness of the people and lack of traffic.

Bob is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children: Shelby Glenn, Lindsay Williams, Timothy and Eric Holmes; stepdaughters: Lori Gray and Cheri Raber; 16 grandchildren and a growing number of great grandchildren. He was bigger than life. His place no one will fill, in life we loved him dearly, in death we love him still.

Bob will be laid to rest at the Holmes Family Plot in Centerville, Maryland. A private memorial will be held for family and friends.

To share memories of Bob sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com/obituary/bob-holmes