Robert F. Lesperance

Robert F. was born in Cortland, New York on 4 December 1938. He crossed over the bar on February 22, 2026 in Dagsboro, DE.

Bob was the son of Gale W. and Erma Aline Lattin Lesperance. He graduated from Cortland Jr/Sr High School on June 1956. He enlisted in the US Navy on 18 July 1956 and became an Air Traffic Controller. His active-duty career in the Navy spanned 23 years with service in England; USS Saratoga, CVA-60; and Naval Air Stations at Sanford, FL.; Quonset Point, RI.; Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA.; Willow Grove, PA.;

Kingsville TX.; and Pensacola, Fl. He was selected as the first "Sailor of the Year" at Quonset Point in October 1966. He was promoted to Warrant Officer on 30 June 1967. He retired from active duty on 30 June 1979 as Chief Warrant Officer, W-4.

His next career was in Federal Civil Service for the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, DC serving as a Supervisory Aeronautical Information Specialist. He was Head, Naval Flight Information Group located at the Washington Navy Yard. He retired on 1 January 2001 as a GM-14 and relocated to Delaware.

Bob found retirement boring so he answered the call for volunteers to join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary on 2 April 2003. He was elected to Flotilla Vice-Commander, Flotilla Commander, Division Vice-Commander and Division Commander. He also served in several Staff Officer positions, qualified as a Boat Crew member, Vessel Examiner, and Instructor. He served as the Division Information Services Staff Officer for over 18 years.

Bob is pre-deceased by his parents; his oldest son, Steven Lesperance and a sister, Bette Doolittle. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Mary Haugh Lesperance; two sons, Chris and Mark Lesperance; one daughter, Suzanne Hill; two step-sons, Jeff and Steve Boyd; 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 10am until 1130 am on Friday March 6, 2026 at the Ocean View Chappel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View DE 19970. A service with military honors will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots way Millsboro DE 19966.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be contributed to the Navy/ Marine Corps Relief Society by visiting www.nmcrs.org or the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance by visiting www.mycgma.org.