Robert J. Butherus, CDR, USN (Retired), age 73, passed away on October 24, 2023 at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Bob was born in Denver, Colorado to Raymond and Margaret Richardson Butherus and was raised on the family farm in Yuma, Colorado. After High School, Bob joined the Army and served in Vietnam. After the war, Bob attended the University of Puget Sound and got his Bachelor’s Degree. Wanting to serve his country again, Bob attended Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and Commissioned an Ensign in September 1976. He proudly served in the Navy for 25 years as both a Surface Warfare Officer and Supply Corps Officer prior to retiring in August 1996. During his Navy career, Bob was assigned to the USS Preble, USS Elliott and other afloat and shore commands in Washington State, Virginia, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC. Bob participated in Operation DESERT STORM and was a Gulf War Veteran. During his military career, Bob’s Army military decorations and awards included the Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. His Navy awards included the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, a second National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with five Bronze Stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal (both from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), and various Military and Navy Unit Commendation Medals and the Navy Battle “E” Ribbon. After retirement from the Navy, Bob continued to serve the Nation as a Civil Servant working for the US Marine Corps in the supply and logistics mission area. Bob moved to Virginia Beach from Northern Virginia and continued to support the military by serving as a volunteer with the USO at the Norfolk Virginia International Airport. Bob especially enjoyed meeting and helping young service members of all Services as they arrived for their follow-on assignments or who were simply passing through enroute their final destinations. His military knowledge, infectious smile and offer of some hot coffee or a soda was always well appreciated by both his USO co-workers and the young servicemembers. Bob was an avid reader and enjoyed the beach and anything outdoors, and always could be found later in life with his dog Zoe by his side. Bob leaves behind his wife Debbie, children Kyle and Lacey, son-in-law Jonathan, and other relatives and friends. He will be remembered for his love of family and country. A celebration of life will be announced later. Donations in his honor can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
2023-11-10