Robert Halstead DeFord Jr.

Robert Halstead DeFord, Jr. died on Saturday, October 29, 2022. He was 89 years old.

Bob was born December 5, 1932 in Norfolk, Virginia, attending Maury High School and Virginia Tech University before returning to Virginia Beach to run the family dairy farm with his father. After selling the dairy in 1972, he transitioned to building and real estate development in addition to several automobile dealerships and the board of Virginia Beach Federal Savings and Loan, later First Coastal Bank, RBC and PNC. He never retired completely, but spent the last 30 years traveling extensively and living with his wife Nancy in Park City Utah, Grand Cayman, and Virginia Beach. All who met him described him as a southern gentleman with a great sense of humor and wonderful smile.

Bob believed deeply in giving back to the community. He was involved in the merger of the resort town of Virginia Beach and Princess Anne County and was instrumental in the founding and leadership of the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Wesleyan University, the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, and Virginia Beach Vision. He believed in public education, serving on the Virginia Beach School Board for 16 years, nine as chairman, and on the Virginia State Board of Education for 8 years, two as chairman. He was the founding president of the National Federation of Urban Suburban Schools. He was a long-time member of the Virginia Beach Rotary Club, Princess Anne Country Club, the Kempsville Masonic Lodge #196, the Scottish Rite, and Shriners. During his active farming years, he was a leader in the Virginia Farm Bureau, Southern States Coop, and the Dairy Council of Virginia. He was Virginia Farmer of the Year in 1969 and served as King Neptune V in 1979.

Bob is survived by his wife Nancy Tondre DeFord, daughters Shelley DeFord Wagner and Lisa DeFord Ramsey, and son Robert "Bobby" Halstead DeFord III (Leslie). Also sharing fond memories of G'dad are Christine "Crissy" Young Copeland (Charlie), Michel Young (Amy), Alexandra Pagonis, Hannah Ramsey, Katelyn DeFord Spacek (Lance), Taylor DeFord Koffel (Ben), and Robert "Robby" H. DeFord IV (Melissa). He enjoyed three great grandchildren - Cayman and Violet Young and Camryn Copeland. He is also survived by his former wife Mary Mallett DeFord. He was predeceased by his father Robert Halstead DeFord Sr., mother Virginia Oveda Williams DeFord, sister Virginia Olivia "Molly" DeFord Maddrey Berberian, and grandson Daniel Joshua Ramsey.

The family would like to thank the teams from Changing Tides Home Care, the Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital and IHR, and The Stone Rehab/Hoy Center for their help over the past two years.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Virginia Wesleyan University, the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Tech, Baylake Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Baylake United Methodist Church, 4300 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.

Arrangements made by H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Rd Chapel. Online condolences can be made at www.hdoliver.com.