Robert Earl Weaver

Commander Robert Earl Weaver, USN, Retired passed away on August 19, 2015. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Medora Weaver, and son Patrick Rhodes. He is survived by his wife Judith; children, David, Michael, Stephen, Kimberly; eight grandchildren, one great-grand child and sister, Ann Langley. Commander Robert E. Weaver was born in New Jersey on 29 September 1936, graduated from Landon High School, Jacksonville, FL in 1954 and entered Duke University that fall with a NROTC Scholarship. A member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, he combined study with active athletic participation, earning varsity letters each year. He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and was assigned to the USS HAWKINS (DDR-873) in Newport, RI. Later entering flight training, he received his wings and Naval Aviator designation at NAAS Kingsville, TX, upon completion of the Carrier Multi-Engine syllabus. Initially assigned to VS-36 at Norfolk, VA, he joined VS-26 upon its recommissioning in June 1960. A Landing Signal Officers, he also served in various operations and maintenance billets while flying the Navy’s first S2D Trackers, primarily from the USS RANDOLPH (CVS-15) as part of Task Group ALFA, a multi-platformed anti-submarine warfare force formed to develop coordinated ASW tactics. During this tour he participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis and Blockade, and the Bay of Pigs and Dominican Republic incidents. In March 1964, he transferred to VS-30, the replacement pilot training squadron in Key West, FL, where he continued to employ his carrier ASW expertise as an instructor pilot and member of the Operational Readiness Inspection Team. While serving as the squadron LSO and qualifying replacement pilots on the USS LEXINGTON (CVS-16), he controlled what turned out to be the Last paddles carrier landings, when the USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CVS-39) was decommissioned prior to ensuing operations, thus closing out an era in carrier aviation. In June 1967, he reported to the USS SHANGRI-LA (CVA-38) as the Catapult and Arresting Gear/V-2 Division Officer, Spending most of the next two years at sea on two extended Sixth Fleet deployments, each in excess of nine months, he became familiar with Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) operations while flying extensively as a C-1A Trader carrier plan commander. Following refresher training at VS-41, he reported to VS-35 at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA in January 1970. Operating on carriers in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, he served as Administrative Officer and was Operations Officer when the squadron earned the coveted E. In January 1972, he headed to Pearl Harbor, HI where he was the Current Operations Officer for Air ASW on the Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare, Pacific staff. In February 1973, COMASWFORPAC combined with COMFIRSTFLT to form COMTHIRDFLT and Commander WEAVER became the Current Operations ASW Officer of the new staff. Later, as the staff Command and Control Officer, he was charged with a broad spectrum of responsibilities, including the operation of the command center. Leaving the Hawaiian Islands in December 1975, he made his way 175 degrees around the globe to the island of Sicily, with only a brief stop in California for C-2A replacement pilot training at RVW-110. Reporting to NAF Sigonella in March 1976, Commander WEAVER commuted between there and Naples, Italy while assuming his duties as Executive Officer of VR-24 in the midst of the squadron move to NAF Sigonella. In August 1977, he assumed command of VR-24. Commander WEAVER is a Carrier Transport Plane Commander in the C-1A and has over 5200 hours and 530 carrier landings in C1/S2 aircraft. Active in athletics. In 1979 Commander Weaver reported to the National Emergency Airborne Command Post at Offutt AFB, Omaha, NB as staff Operations Officer. While in Omaha he met and married Judy after his retirement in 1982. He continued his duty to provide for his family by selling real estate for Century 21. He filled his personal time traveling and attending plays with Judy, playing volleyball and tennis. He was also a big sports fan, enjoyed playing games, telling jokes, talking politics and spending time with his family. He was also an active member in the leadership at Advent Lutheran Church. He was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and Father-in-Law, he will be greatly missed by family and friends. Interment will be held on Wednesday, August 26th 10:30am in Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218. A Memorial Service will follow at 1:00pm on Wednesday, August 26th, in Advent Lutheran Church, 2156 Loch Rane Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32073. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.