On a very somber and chilly recent morning the spirit of Robert Jay Danvers, “The Bob” of all Bob’s, has transferred from this mortal plain to explore new and higher planes of existence and has surely dovetailed with warm steady breezes destined to push the leaves of the trees throughout the world as he seeks greater harmony with nature and a new understanding of the world around him. He left this physical existence early on the morning of January 23, 2022, while at the home that he shared with his beloved wife of 48 years, Virginia Lee Danvers, who has given her all to be his all, and that she was. Bob, self-admittedly, would have been lost without her, his other half, his counselor, and the one constant pillar in his life. Virginia hopes to be able to have many more adventures to share them with her loving husband when she rejoins with him much later in the breezes of the trees.

We hope that Bob will be reunited with his mother and father, John, better known as “Jack” and Freda Danvers as well as his older Brother Jack Danvers. Bob is survived by his younger brother Mike and his wife Laurie Danvers and his sister-in-law Eunice Danvers. Bob has 5 surviving children, James, Genevieve, Joseph, Gregory, and Christopher to whom he loved and did all he could do to teach and provide for. Each of their spouses were loved just as his own, especially his, as he often said, “favorite daughter” (or only daughter) and her recently departed husband Kevin who was one of Bob’s favorite people in this world. Of those 5 children Bob took great joy in knowing and loving 20 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Bob lived a long life, at 79 years young, he experienced many things to include love, heart break, and love again. He was loved by everyone that took the time to get to know him and he made it easy to get to know him as he was not so shy to start a conversation with anyone willing to give him the time of day. He did his best to be a positive influence on those around him which lent well to his career in the United States Air Force where he ascended to the rank of Master Sergeant and retired after 23 years of service. It was not the rank that he achieved that he was most proud of, but the job he did as an instructor and later as the Commandant of his own NCO/PME Academy at Homestead AFB where he helped countless others to learn and grow into better versions of themselves and how to become leaders within the US Air Force. He went on after retiring from the Air Force to continue service to his country as a civilian working for US Customs and Border Patrol. He retired from this career also after serving as a staff assistant to the Trades Ombudsman’s office as well as other distinguished positions within US Customs in Washington, DC.

Throughout Bob’s life he and his wife Virginia traveled the world both while in the service of their country as well as throughout retirement making fast lifelong friends at every destination. And taking great joy in seeing both wonders made by man and, much more so, wonders made by nature. Bob welcomed new experiences and learned from the many relationships and friendships that he enjoyed through his many years and travels. Everyone who knew Bob truly did benefit from their association with him even if just by his good humor and cheery disposition. He was always willing to help a friend in need and did his very best to always be there for his family. He was a student of people and philosophy, always looking for greater wisdom and knowledge. Bob had a great affinity for trees, dogs, children, and the sun. He never met a tree he didn’t like, a dog whose ears he wouldn’t scratch, a child he wouldn’t kid around with, or a sunny day where he would not spend more than a few minutes basking in the warmth of the sun’s bright light. Indeed, in the latter season of his life, one of his favorite pastimes was people watching and one of his most fervent philosophies is TMPNET (To Many People Not Enough Trees).

Memorial services will be held at a warmer, later date sometime this spring or summer. For any who may wish to make any kind of donation, we the family, ask that you either make a donation to The Arbor Day Foundation, plant a tree on your own, adopt a dog, be kind to your neighbor, or just smile and enjoy the sunshine on your back.