Robert J. Scott

Robert J. Scott, 70, of Virginia Beach, died Aug.1, 2018, after a 2- year battle with cancer. He was born in Hartford, CT, Nov. 10, 1947, to Edward L. and Jeanette R. Scott. He graduated in 1965 from Wethersfield High School in Wethersfield, CT. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1969, and a master's degree in regional planning from Cornell University in 1973. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army's Americal Division 196th brigade. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for valor, a Combat Infantry Badge and an Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for his service in Vietnam. He served as Director of Planning for the City of Virginia Beach for 32 years, during a time that Virginia Beach was the fastest-growing city in America. He was named Virginia Beach Rotary Club's City Employee of the Year in 2004. He was a member of the American Planning Association and its Virginia chapter, where he held several offices. He retired in 2007. He became active in Virginia Beach Rotary Club, and was a past president, board member and Paul Harris Fellow. He was Rotarian of the Year in 2012. He co-authored a book, Honor on the Line, with Myles Pocta. He was appointed to the Virginia Beach city Personnel Board, was an election official and volunteered for other local activities. He was a skilled golfer, photographer and reader, and built tall-ship models from scratch for decades. He was active in Cornell's Adult University programs for 20 years. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Denise Bowman-Scott; daughters Katharine J. Scott of Charlotte, NC, and Laura E. Scott of Boston, MA; siblings Marie and Richard Scott of Wethersfield, CT, and Donna Scott of S. Pasadena, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 pm, Monday August 6, 2018 at H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.