REEDVILLE—It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert Ethan Green III, affectionately known as Bob, who departed this life on December 29, 2024, following a courageous 18-month battle with colon cancer.
Born on May 9, 1943, to Robert and Marie Green (née Bell), Bob was the eldest son of a Navy officer and lived in many parts of the country during his formative years.
Bob, known lovingly by family as Uncle Bobby or Bobbo, had a lifelong passion for all things mechanical. His love for cars, motorcycles, boats, airplanes and trains was a defining aspect of his life. He had an innate curiosity and skill for understanding how things worked, a trait that he nurtured throughout his life.
Bob studied history as an ROTC student at Duke University and received a degree in elementary education from George Mason University. He began his career as a police officer in Alexandria, where he served with distinction. Later, he worked as a private investigator and a teacher before transitioning to a career in government service. Through the PACE exam, Bob entered federal government service as a budget analyst for the U.S. Navy and rose to become deputy director of the Operations Division in the Navy Comptroller’s Office, where he made significant contributions until his retirement on December 31, 2004. Bob was at the Pentagon on 9/11, a day that left a profound impact on him and underscored his dedication to public service.
Bob retired to Reedville, where he and his beloved wife of 51 years, Kaylene (née Holle), made their home. Together, they explored the Chesapeake Bay aboard their cherished boat, the Aquabelle, with Bob proudly serving as first mate to Captain Kaylene. Theirs was a partnership marked by deep friendship, mutual respect and shared adventures.
Bob and Kaylene shared a deep love for animals, especially their dogs. Over the years, their home was filled with the joy and companionship of their beloved pets, most recently Callie and Loki, who brought Bob comfort and company.
Bob was a man who found joy in life’s simple pleasures. Though not a religious man, he was deeply spiritual and held a profound respect for nature. He loved the outdoors and he and Kaylene explored the countryside on their motorcycles, embracing the beauty of the open road. An avid collector, he amassed an impressive array of diecast model cars and built countless model airplanes. Though his dream of constructing an elaborate model train layout was sidelined by Kaylene’s home remodeling projects, it remained a cherished aspiration.
Among his many achievements, Bob’s greatest joy came from his family. He is survived by his wife, Kaylene; his brother, David; his sister, Susan; his daughter, Tara; his two grandchildren, Jamie (Rachel) and Tessa; and numerous nieces and nephews who will forever treasure their memories of him.
Bob’s love of life, his passion for adventure and his enduring kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered.
There will be a graveside service at Roseland Cemetery, Reedville, Virginia at 2 p.m. on January 11 with a reception to follow at the American Legion in Reedville.
There will be a celebration of life in Northern Virginia on May 9, 2025. Details to come later.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to organizations close to Bob’s heart: Friends of the Northumberland County Animal Shelter https://www.friendsncas.org/donate.html or Riverside Health System Foundation https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/riverside.
