Robert Henry "Bob" Boyce

Robert “Bob” Boyce, age 79, of La Plata, MD, passed away on October 16, 2019. Bob was born on August 11, 1940 at Cornwall Hospital in New York. He was son to the late George A. Boyce and Melissa L. Boyce of Wallkill, New York. After graduating from Wallkill Central High School, Robert joined the United States Navy in 1958 and served as an Aviation Machinist Mat in VAP-62 at Jacksonville, FL. Bob flew as an Aircrewman in the squadron twin engine jet aircraft. He was then sent to the Naval Intelligence Command in Suitland, MD, where he became a Photographic Intelligenceman. During that tour of duty, he met and married his wife, Vicky D. Basler, of Petros, TN. They were then sent to Guam to the sister squadron, VAP-61. They spent the next three years on Guam before returning to the Naval Intelligence Command. He saw service in the Vietnam conflict as a detachment aboard the USS Hancock, USS Midway, USS Coral Sea, and the USS Kitty Hawk, as well as duty in support of the Vietnam Conflict at Subic Bay, Philippines. He was awarded four Navy Unit Commendations, the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and two Good Conduct Medals. Robert was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Navy Memorial Register in Washington, D.C., and supported the Vietnam Veterans of America. After leaving the United States Navy in 1968, Robert and Vicky moved to Charles County, MD. Robert continued to work for the Naval Intelligence Command in Suitland, MD as a Computer “Geek” for 25 years. He developed the first online computer system for the Naval Intelligence Command. He was also a Division Head for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and was responsible for the operation of their computer systems. After retiring with 35 years of federal service, Robert worked for Universal Pictures as a Traffic Director on the set of the movie October Sky in Petros, TN. Robert also worked for Lowes in Waldorf, MD as a Hardware Professional. He along with several friends, was responsible for forming the Southern Maryland Woodcarvers group. He was also responsible for creating the Southern Maryland Carousel Group and was President for four years. Robert loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed going to their vacation home in Petros, TN, feeding and watching the birds, flying, traveling around the United States, collecting coins, woodworking, woodcarving, and making items for his family. He also enjoyed family genealogy. Robert was a member of the Association of Blauvelt Descendants, 10th Generation; he registered his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their Book of Genealogy. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his brother, George A. Boyce. Robert is survived by his wife of 57 years, Vicky Dean; one son, Robert Dean Boyce, and wife Kelly, of La Plata, MD; two daughters, Mitzie Spaulding, and husband Chris, of Charleston, SC, and Cindy Stine, and husband Randy, of Faulkner, MD; one sister, Carol Balbach, and husband Carl, of Pine Bush, NY; and one sister-in-law, Renee Boyce, of Wallkill, NY. Robert is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Krystle Ann Johnson, and husband Ish, Kassi Lewis, and husband Mark, Nicole Boyce, Morgan Ambort, and husband Michael, Madison and McKenzie Roof, Christopher and Aryn Spaulding, Kalee Kelly, and husband Matthew, Corri Stine, and Naomi Vega; and eleven great-grandchildren, Jenai, Gabriella, and Allysa Johnson, Hunter Boyce, Henry Lewis, Brooklyn Boyce, Brodi, Jax, and Benji Ambort, Aiden Kelly, and Trent Vega; and two great-grandchildren on the way. Robert was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, New Hurley, NY, the Reformed Church of Montgomery in Montgomery, NY; and the La Plata United Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church of La Plata, both in La Plata, MD. A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 from 5PM until 8PM at Raymond Funeral Chapel, 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646. A Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 11AM at the First Baptist Church of La Plata, 9070 Hawthorne Road, La Plata, MD 20646. Interment will take place at a later date, with Navy Honors, at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Post Office Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301.

Robert Henry "Bob" Boyce

August 11, 1940 - October 16, 2019