Obituary of Robert Theodore Poppe

Colonel Robert "Bob" Poppe, USAF ret, USNA class of 1955 Colonel Robert T. Poppe, of Reston VA, passed away on Saturday May 12, 2012 at age 82. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Robin Leight Poppe. He is also survived by: his son Robert Christopher Poppe (m. Teresa Channon); his son James Lawrence Poppe (m. Catherine Cordes Poppe); four grandchildren Megan, Cate, Krista, and James Joseph; two great-grandchildren Morgan and Tyler; his brother James Raymond Poppe; his niece Karen; and his nephew James David. He is predeceased by his brother Richard Poppe. Born February 17, 1930 in Newport KY, the second son of Raymond and Ruth (Issenman) Poppe. A graduate of Newport High School he attended Moorehead State Teachers' College for one year before enlisting in the Air Force. Securing a Naval Academy appointment from Congressman Brent Spence he entered the Academy in 1951. He graduated with distinction the morning of June 3, 1955 and married Robin at Saint Anne's Chapel that afternoon. He was posted to various stations including Arkansas (where Chris was born), Japan (where James was born), and Hawaii when it became a state. Finishing his 30 year career in Strategic Defense Planning at the Pentagon he retired in 1979. After a brief retirement he began a second career with General Research Corporation as a senior advisor for the "Star Wars" Program (Strategic Defense Initiative). Retiring again he served several terms as an at-large member of the Reston Home Owners' Association Board and was an avid gardener. Memorial Services will be at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Herndon VA on June 2 at 2:30. Services and inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery will be scheduled later. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Johns Hopkins University for the benefit of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (www.alzresearch.org/giving.cfm). Share your memories, stories, and pictures at www.adamsgreen.com.