Robert V. Cawthorne Jr.

Robert Vincent Cawthorne Jr. of Colonial Heights, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, 10 November 2013 at the Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, Virginia. Born October 11, 1931 in Henderson, North Carolina to Vincent and Foy Evans Cawthorne he lived most of his life in Colonial Heights.
Affectionately known as Robert or Bob to friends and “Debo” to family, he is survived by his wife Pat of 55 years, son John Robert (Lisa) Cawthorne, daughters Mary Cawthorne and Laura (Burke) Steele, brothers Wallace (Jo) Cawthorne and William (Sylvia) Cawthorne, both of Henderson, NC and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. He leaves to cherish his memory six grandchildren, Dylan Cawthorne, Shanna Cawthorne, Burke Steele, Rob Steele, Campbell Steele and Jack Steele. Debo was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to all.
A 1955 civil engineering graduate of NC State University, Robert was a professional engineer and registered land surveyor who served as a US Air Force civil engineer (Turkey, Greece) for four years. Then an overseas contractor for the Air Force, he and his family spent 10 more years in Turkey. Upon return to the United States, Robert was plant engineer at Brown and Williamson Tobacco in Petersburg, city engineer for Colonial Heights and then ran his own land surveying practice until his death.
Robert was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Petersburg, Master Mason of Blandford Lodge No. 3 A.F.&A.M. and member of the Acca Temple Petersburg Shrine Club, where he served as Treasurer. He was also a life-long and accomplished outdoorsman who passionately enjoyed hunting or fishing, and a past president of Lee’s Mill Pond Hunting and Fishing Club recognized for leading the many improvements to facilities and the organization. Robert and wife Pat were avid supporters of their grandchildren’s sports, hardly missing their baseball, basketball or ballet events. Robert was always there to help friends and support his family with whatever was needed… a true engineer, devoted family man who was tireless in the service of others.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at J.T. Morriss and Son, Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 12. A funeral service for Robert will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Petersburg on Wednesday, November 13. Interment to follow at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia. Memorial donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children can be made to: Petersburg Shrine Club c/o Ralph Bartley, Secretary, 6907 Hickory Road, South Chesterfield, VA 23803-1313.