Robert Charles Byrnes Jr.

Robert Charles Byrnes, Jr.

(1943 - 2025)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert C. Byrnes, Jr., beloved father, skilled architect, and loyal friend. Rob, 81, of Alexandria, VA, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully the morning of November 8th.

Rob was born in 1943 in Cleveland, OH, the middle child of three. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Los Angeles before finally settling in Falls Church, VA in 1954 through his father's career with the FBI. It was in their Falls Church community that Rob made lifelong friends as part of the first graduating class (1961) of Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington.

Upon graduation from O'Connell, Rob attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) in pursuit of an aspiration he'd had since age 12 – to be an architect. In 1966, he graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in architecture and with friendships that endured through the next six decades.

He married Patricia Rollo, a fellow O'Connell graduate, in the fall of 1966. Fourteen months later, Rob was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in the Vietnam War. He dutifully served in combat with the 11th Armored Cavalry regiment before being honorably discharged from service in 1969. Rob and Patricia welcomed their daughter, Erin, the following year and were married until 1976.

It was through his architectural circles that he met and fell in love with Stephanie Cormier, whom he would marry in 1977, and with whom he would welcome two more daughters, Darcy and Madeleine. They made their home in Alexandria, where Rob would establish his own architectural firm in 1979. For 20 years, he worked with his partner and friend, Miles Stafford "Jarbo" Rolfe, after which he was a solo architect through the last days of his life.

Rob's craft was an outlet for creativity and problem-solving, as well as a means to serve others. In these ways, his vocation was an extraordinary source of fulfillment in his life. Although he completed an education in computer-aided design later in his career, he opted to maintain his practice as a hand draftsman. He regularly shared, "I can't believe I actually get paid to do this job," in gratitude for his residential and commercial projects in the greater Washington, DC area. He felt as enriched by designing a home renovation that honored the original charm of a 1930's center-hall colonial as by the large-scale projects he did for multiple YMCA facilities in the area.

Rob's life with his family was filled with laughter, commitment, and strength of character. He led by example for both the pursuit of fun and that of justice, inspiring his children and grandchildren. A voracious reader, he instilled the love of literary storytelling in his children. His famously dry wit was peppered throughout his own fabulous storytelling, both in short stories he wrote and in those he shared verbally. He particularly enjoyed sharing his life experiences that included an absurd or hilarious twist. Those stories became legends passed down through the family.

Rob was also known for his thoughtful and artful gifts, some handmade, many wrapped in hand-illustrated gift wrap that he personalized for each recipient. He designed tee shirts to celebrate life events from his wedding reception to family reunions. Rob delighted in helping his daughters with school projects, coaching their recreational sports teams, and taking them on many outdoor adventures. With great enthusiasm, he also attended any game, school or music event, and celebration for his three grandsons. The depth of his pride and love was reflected in his genuine joy in their presence and in his steadfast support.

Rob's loyalty and commitment extended beyond his family and friends to the larger communities that he served and loved. For over a decade, he volunteered to build and rehabilitate homes for those in need through Christmas in April/Rebuilding Together.

He and Stephanie developed a passion for Irish social dancing - ceilis - and became founding members of the Greater Washington Ceili Club in 1985. Even in the weeks before he passed away, Rob made time to dance with friends from the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, an international organization established for the promotion and preservation of Irish music, for which he volunteered over decades.

With an abiding love for Alexandria, Rob brought his concerns to City Council meetings and befriended many of his elected officials with his engagement. Equity and fairness were cornerstones of his personal beliefs, evident in his long-time membership in the NAACP and his generous donations of his skilled labor and funding to nonprofit organizations benefitting underserved communities.

Within the Alexandria Public Schools, Rob not only volunteered in the classroom as a tutor for students in need of additional support, but also spoke at school board meetings to advocate for equal educational opportunities for all and diversity within the schools. Some of the students he tutored continued to stay in touch with him into adulthood.

Rob is survived by his three daughters, Erin Byrnes (Bernd Jaehnigen), Madeleine Byrnes, and Darcy Stewart (Mark), and his three grandsons, Liam and Niall Jaehnigen, and Mark Stewart, Jr., all of whom loved him dearly. Rob will also be deeply missed by a large, extended family of Byrneses and Cormiers, and by beloved friends, who were family to him. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert C. & Nancy Shields Byrnes, his brother and sister, Michael Byrnes and Carol Brake, and his wife, Stephanie Cormier Byrnes.

A memorial service will be held at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 on Friday, December 5th, 2025 at 1:00 PM, immediately followed by a reception to celebrate Rob's life. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Rob's honor to the ACLU, Doctors Without Borders, or The Wounded Warrior Project.