Robert Monroe "Bob" Ely

Robert "Bob" Monroe Ely died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, December 17, 2018. Bob was born May 11, 1931 in the Bronx, New York to Francis Edwin Ely and Minnie Ilda Monroe Ely. As a young man Bob held his pilot license prior to his driver license and enjoyed the varied experiences this offered him. He especially loved flying seaplanes and relished any opportunity to regale his family and friends with stories of his adventures with these and prop planes. With an avid interest in flying Bob served in the Air Force for four years followed by seven in the Air National Guard located at Byrd Field, Richmond.Bob retired from NASA after forty years of dedicated service where he most recently had been a lab technician. He was most proud of the fact that some of the film produced in his lab had made it onto spaceships and other aircraft.Bob's hobbies included golf, genealogy, wood working, and swimming. He enjoyed the years he was able to swim at the NN YMCA where he was proud to be made a lifetime member. Bob was also an enthusiastic supporter of a winery owned by a granddaughter and her husband generously handing out free tasting cards to many of which he came in contact.Bob is survived by his sister, Mary Ely Corcoran and her family, his daughter, Lynn Anne (Chip) Hornsby, his son Robert Kevin, (Peggy), and his daughter, Susan Paige (Charlie) Anderson, as well as, ten grandchildren, and a multitude of great grandchildren.The family is most appreciative and grateful for the loving care their dad received from the nursing staff at Keswick of Warwick Forest especially Kathleen and Miriam. Their dedication, kindness, and compassion were of comfort to him as well as to us.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Peninsula YMCA branch at 7827 Warwick Boulevard, NN, VA 23607 or the Peninsula Rescue Mission 3700 Huntington Avenue NN, VA 23607A memorial service will be held at Peninsula Funeral Home on Saturday, December 22 at 3:00pm. All arrangements are being handled by Peninsula Funeral Home in Newport News.