Robert Alan Latham

ALEXANDRIA - Robert Alan Latham passed away in October 2025 in Alexandria, Virginia, at the age of 96. Robert-or Rabu or Bubba, as his friends and family knew him-is survived by his wife Patricia (Derby) Latham; his brother, Kenneth Latham; his sister-in-law, Christine Derby; his daughters Mavourneen Holden and Audrey Dreibelbis; and his grandchildren Alex, Kathleen, and Dillon.

Robert was born during the summer of 1929 in Mineola, New York, to the late Alexander Darrow and Marita Rahe Latham. He was the second of five sons. With his brothers Darrow, Ken, Peter, and Stuart, he shared fond memories of growing up on Long Island: "wonderful adventures" playing outside, learning to swim and sail, sledding, and participating in the Boy Scouts. He credits his mother with raising him and his brothers with love and discipline and ensuring that they were skilled in household chores. The family attended a Christian Science church, which provided Robert with a "think positive" attitude throughout his long life.

Robert attended the Forman School, Paul Smith's College, Syracuse University, and the New York State College of Forestry. He served in Korea in 1951-1952 as a Carrier and Repeaterman in the US Army, leaving the service with an honorable discharge.

As a young man in New York, Robert worked in the family business-Latham Bros. Lumber-as a skilled carpenter. Later, on Michigan's Mackinac Island, he managed the historic renovation of the Henry R. Schoolcraft Indian Dormitory and surveyed the 1780s-era buildings at Fort Mackinac. Entrepreneurial in spirit, Robert went on to have diverse business endeavors: manufacturing fiberglass geodesic domes; building fiberglass sailboats; with his brother, Peter, designing and manufacturing aluminum tennis and racquetball racquets; owning a True Value Hardware store and lumberyard; developing and distributing analytical laboratory equipment, which coupled with the Chromatography and Infrared Spectroscopy equipment found in R&D laboratories. He was as hardworking as he was curious and bright.

Robert's first marriage to Maureen McNamara ended in divorce. Together they had a daughter named Mavourneen. In 1969, Robert married Patricia Derby. Together, Patty and Robert had Robert's second daughter, Audrey.

In 1970, Robert and Patty moved to Rye, New Hampshire, where they purchased and renovated a sprawling historic farmhouse. By the end of the decade, the couple would build a colonial home next door; it would be the first of two houses (the second in Warren, Rhode Island) that they would design and build themselves, with sketches and blueprints scattered on the dining room table and Robert acting as general contractor. The family spent many happy years living in New England.

After retiring, Robert and Patty moved from New England to Delaware in 2005. Robert stayed active puttering around the house doing odd jobs and various hobbies; assisting neighbors, family, and friends in all manner of projects; visiting the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and Winterthur Museum; babysitting his youngest grandchild, Dillon; and playing tennis regularly with his "Greenbank" group until the age of 93.

Those who knew Robert best described him as uniquely kind and charming, as being an exceptional husband and father, and possessing a remarkable character. With his passing, the world has lost a true gentlemen of the old school and a wonderful human being.

Funeral services will be held at Everly Wheatley Funeral Home (1500 W Braddock Rd. Alexandria, VA 22302) on December 6, 2025 at 1 PM.

Robert's family is deeply grateful to the caregivers and staff at Silverado Memory Care Community, for the care and support they gave Robert.