Robert Lee Tate Jr. "Bob"

Robert Lee Tate, Jr. (Bob), Age 93, passed away peacefully at Memorial Regional Hospital, on December 23, 2024 in Mechanicsville, VA. He was born on June 18, 1931 at Stuart Circle Hospital in Richmond, VA to parents, Robert Lee Tate, Sr. and Josephine Woolard Tate.

He is survived by 4 children, Robert Brian Tate (Debbie), David Wayne Tate (Linda), Mary Tate Marsh (the late Kim), Lisa Tate Harris (Donald); 6 grandchildren, Christopher Adam Tate, Andrew Phelps Tate, Matthew Marvin Warne, Cameron Burns Moore (Matthew), Maegan Harris Sholes (George); Gavin Nathaniel Booker; 1 great-grandchild, Declan Edward Moore; and son-in-law, Mark Douglas Booker (Christy).

He is predeceased by his parents, spouses; Rosemary Morrison Tate, and Janice Niday Tate; and daughter Bonnie Lynn Tate-Booker (Mark).

Bob attended the original Glen Lea Elementary School on Route 360, was a 1948 graduate of Highland Springs High School, and a 1952 graduate of University of Virginia. He played baseball for UVA, and remained an avid supporter of his alma mater. He talked fondly of his time there, and reminisced about his days living on The Lawn as a 4th year student.

He joined the Navy as an officer candidate after graduating from college and served his country from August 1952 - December 1955. He was always proud to wear his uniform, and recently boasted that it still fit him perfectly. He would probably tell you that the greatest highlight of his naval career was meeting Marilyn Monroe. While his ship, The USS Barton, was at Pearl Harbor for repairs, Bob and 2 of his shipmates discovered that Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio were also in Honolulu, awaiting departure for their honeymoon in Japan. Marilyn agreed to meet the 3 pitiful sailors who asked her for an autograph. He never washed the hand she shook.

He enjoyed a long, successful career in the insurance industry, retiring with 40 years of dedicated service to the Harleysville Insurance Company in 1996, as the Resident Vice President of the Richmond Office. He earned many professional designations during his career, including those of CPCU and CLU, as well as other professional accolades that can be attributed to his leadership abilities.

Among Bob's numerous hobbies, which included woodworking, boating, photography, traveling and genealogy, he was an enthusiastic hiker, often including his love of walking into his many travel adventures. His favorite hikes included an overnight trek in and out of the Haleakala volcano crater on Maui, Pike's Peak, CO, The Narrows and Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, UT and a hike into the Grand Canyon, AZ with an overnight stay at Phantom Ranch. A member of the American Volkssport Association, Bob walked over 8000 miles in his lifetime. After moving to the retirement community, Covenant Woods, in 2014, Bob founded two walking clubs, The Holey Soles and The Half Soles, to share his walking passion with his new neighbors.

Bob's other passion was philanthropy, evidenced by his devotion to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program and Heart Havens, a program dedicated to providing housing for intellectually disabled adults. The Tate Home in Ashland, VA bears his name, and a house in a Staunton, VA was built in honor of his late daughter, Bonnie (The Bonnie House). He volunteered untold hours for both organizations, and did so with enthusiasm.

Bob loved his church community at Enon United Methodist Church, where he had been a member since 1991. He participated in, and led, several groups during his time there. He relished his role as the chief "hoe (corn) cake" chef for the many Methodist Men breakfast events hosted at Enon. Prior to moving to Mechanicsville, Bob was a longtime member of Highland Park Methodist Church.

He was first and foremost a father. While his children were growing up, he participated in many of their activities, particularly sports and scouting. He managed Glen Lea Little League Baseball for 8 years and was a Cubmaster and

assistant Scoutmaster for his son's troops. He also officiated for the Virginia High School League Football for 24 years. He always said he was lucky to be the father of five great kids.

While he could barely work a cellphone or computer, he could surely work a room; his sense of humor, and storytelling skills are legendary.

His very sudden demise may have been his body’s way of manifesting what Bob always believed: it’s best to leave while you’re still having fun, and now he’s done it again, leaving us with some important lessons about how to live this one great life with which you are gifted:

-Make your family your friends.

-Be curious.

-Stay busy.

-Keep moving.

-And if you believe the (wine) glass is half empty, remember that it can always be refilled.

Relatives and friends are invited to Bob's visitation at Woody Funeral Home-Atlee Chapel, 9271 Shady Grove Rd., Mechanicsville, VA on Friday, January 3 from 2 PM to 4 PM. A Funeral Service will be held at Enon United Methodist Church, 6156 Sudley Rd., Mechanicsville, VA on Saturday, January 4 at

12:30 PM. A reception will follow the service from 2 PM to 5 PM at The Commons at Covenant Woods, 7090 Covenant Woods Dr., Mechanicsville, VA. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Heart Havens or The Bonnie Tate-Booker Memorial Scholarship at UVA.