Robert W. Lyons

Robert W. Lyons died at the age of 84 on 04 May 2024 in Norfolk, Virginia. Bob was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He was the son of Woodrow W. and Louise Davis Lyons both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Orangeburg High School in 1958 and attended Clemson College for one year. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in June 1963 and served in the Navy until June 1985. When just a young lad, Bob would stand by U.S. Route 301 each morning as he prepared the "Times and Democrat" newspapers for his delivery route and vow he would one day go north or south, but he was going to leave. Then, at age 18 in August 1958 he left. First, he only went a couple hundred miles up the road to the Piedmont area of northwest South Carolina where he spent one year at what at the time was Clemson College. In the spring of 1959, he competed for and won one of Representative L. Mendel Rivers' appointments to the U.S. Naval Academy. Then, in July 1959 he left Orangeburg enroute Annapolis, Maryland, where he was privileged to attend and graduate with the Class of 1963-Quality - "63! Following graduation from the Naval Academy, Bob served at a variety of duty stations. He spent most of his "at-sea" time in destroyers except for a one-year tour of duty in 1965- I 966 in-country in Vietnam as Officer-in-Charge of PCF-94 stationed at An Thoi, Phu Quoc. Following graduation from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, with a Master of Science Degree in Meteorology in October 1972, he became a specialist in meteorology. He also specialized in command, control, and intelligence communications. His final duty tour was as a member of the faculty and staff at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. He retired from the Navy in June 1985. After taking six months off to reduce the size of his "Honey-Do List" at home, Bob became a Senior Management Engineer for E. L. Hamm & Associates, Inc., in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from January 1986 until August 1991. Ed Hamm was a can-do businessman whose motto seemed to be, "We'll try any job that isn't illegal, unethical, or unprofessional." After leaving that position, Bob became the Executive Director of the Builders & Contractors Exchange, Inc., in Norfolk, Virginia, from September 1991 until April 2009. This was his dream job. Bob was a highly successful naval officer and business executive who was not overly aggressive, but he knew how to get a job done. While he did not "drive" others relentlessly, he worked hard and set a vigorous pace for his co-workers. He dearly enjoyed spending time with his family, reading, working at his church, and playing golf. During his retirement his greatest joy was enjoying a round of golf with friends and the special elation of his five holes-in-one. We can also say that Bob did not neglect his religious, civic, and professional affiliations; and he brought the same spirit, energy, determination, and problem-solving acumen to these positions as he did when in the world of work. He was also Ordained as Ruling Elder, Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia, in 1990; Coordinator, Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team for the Homeless for Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1991-2016; Moderator, University Presbyterian Ministry Council, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, 1995-1999; Board member and past president, Suburban Acres Civic League, Norfolk, Virginia; Board member and past president, Joint Forces Staff College Alumni Association, Norfolk, Virginia; Member, Career and Technical Education Advisory Council, Norfolk, Virginia, Public Schools, 1991-2007 and Vice Moderator, 2003-2007; Member, International Builders Exchange Executives, with Headquarters in San Antonio, Texas 1992-2009, and President 2001-2002; Board member and treasurer for The Dwelling Place, Norfolk, Virginia, June 2012-June 2014. Elected treasurer of Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia, in July 2009 and served until "retirement., in December 2022; Teacher, The Word Adult Sunday School Class, Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2009- 2022; Bob and his wife Sharon were married in July 1977. They were blessed to experience deep love and affection for one another and their two sons. Bob was a true gentleman who treated everyone with love, respect, and kindness even though his ready wit and dry sense of humor may have caused some to doubt his true intentions. His family and friends were blessed to know him and spend precious years with him. Along with his wife Sharon, Bob is survived by his brother Jimmy Lyons of Aiken, South Carolina; and son Michael Lyons of Alexandria, Virginia. His surviving aunt, Frances Davis, lives in Bolentown, South Carolina. He has cousins living in South Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. He was also preceded in death by his son, Jonathan Lyons. A memorial service with Military Honors will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 18 at Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church, 6901 Newport Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23505

Robert W. Lyons

May 4, 2024