Robert "Bob" N. Fothergill

Robert "Bob" N. Fothergill of Colonial Heights completed his earthly journey on October 25, 2026, after years of battling Parkinson's Disease.

He was born on October 14, 1937, in Boston, MA, the third son of LeRoy D. Fothergill, M.D., and Marguerite N. Fothergill. When Bob was four years old, his father was called to active duty in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps, whereupon his family moved to Washington, D.C. When WWII ended, they moved to the beloved family "hobby farm" in Mt. Pleasant, MD. Bob had many fond memories of living there.

He graduated from Frederick High School in 1955 and attended Western Maryland College where he met the "love of his life" and future wife, Louise. He was a member of the ROTC and, upon graduation, was commissioned to serve in the U.S. Army. Bob spent twenty years on active duty and served in Europe, two tours in Vietnam, and the remainder of his career in various U.S.-based logistical assignments. While on active duty, he received his master's degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, and two Army Commendation Medals, all for meritorious service.

Upon his retirement in 1980, he was employed by Coburn Optical Company for one year before transitioning into his favorite military specialty, Procurement, with the Commonwealth of Virginia. For 28 years, he was employed in various purchasing management positions before retiring in 2013 as Purchasing Manager for the Virginia Retirement System.

Bob was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Petersburg, where he served as Senior Warden, lay reader for 40 years, senior trustee for 20 years, and kitchen assistant cook for 15 years.

He served as president of the following organizations: Virginia Association of Governmental Purchasing, Capital Area Purchasing Association, Disputanta Ruritan Club, and Crater Antique Automobile Club. He was also Committee Chairman of Boy Scout Troop 180.

Bob was predeceased by his "rock" and the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Louise; his parents; brothers, LeRoy, Jr. and James; and sister-in-law, Barbara Fothergill.

He is survived by his daughter, Judith Fothergill Trent (Scott); son, Robert N. Fothergill, Jr. (Mary Lynn); granddaughters, Jillian Cash (Matt), Erin Ray (Jared), Jordan Hartnett (Chase), and Julie Melton (Vance); grandsons, Spencer Trent (Kelly Kavanagh) and Bryce Fothergill (Olivia); great-granddaughters, Parker and Thea Ray, Carmen Cash, and Ella Melton; and sisters-in-law, Janice Krueger, of Durham, NC, and Maria Fothergill, of Aberdeen, MD.

The family would like to thank the loving caregiver to Bob and Louise, Jeannette Davis; his longtime physician, Brian Neely, M.D.; William Reed, M.D.; Bob's dear nurse, Carrie Hall, R.N.; the devoted staff of the first-floor west wing of Parson's Health Center, Westminster Canterbury Richmond; and the care team at Sheltering Arms Institute, Main Campus.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 110 N. Union St., Petersburg, VA, with a reception to follow. The family will receive visitors the evening before, Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Interment will be private at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia prior to the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.