Robert Martin Gross "Bob"'s Obituary
Mr. Robert Martin “Bob” Gross, Sr. of Millsboro, DE and formerly of Upper Marlboro, MD passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at Bayhealth Sussex Campus. He was 86 years old.
Bob was born on October 10, 1936 in Washington, DC to the late George W. and Helen Hoyle Gross.
Bob grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland, mainly in Greenbelt and Hyattsville. Bob was a huge sports fan and played basketball and baseball all throughout his youth and high school years. He was a fan all the professional sports teams centered around Washington DC, mostly the Washington Redskins, Capitals, Bullets and Senators, now Washington Nationals. He was especially fond of his days in the 1950’s sneaking into Byrd Stadium to watch the Maryland Terrapins play football. Bob enjoyed sports so much that later in his life he took a part time job in the executive suites at the Capital Centre and later the Verizon Center just to be able to catch all the action. After he graduated Bladensburg High School in 1954, he joined the US Army where he was a radar repairer. After he got out of the Army, he joined the Prince George’s County Police Department, and served 20 years retiring as a Sergeant in 1980. It was during this time in 1968 when he married Barbara. They raised their family on a quiet street in Upper Marlboro, MD. Bob enjoyed their large yard where he and Barbara spent their time landscaping their hearts out. He also enjoyed the day trips he and Barbara would take. Some days, they would get into the car and go to wherever their hearts would take them, destination unknown. They enjoyed spending time at Skyline Drive, Sugarloaf Mountain, and C&O Canal National Park. He enjoyed reading and DIY projects. One of his projects included building a large wood deck that completed their inground pool. It was here where Bob and Barbara enjoyed many summer afternoons and evenings with his friends from the police department. Bob was a hard worker and had a strong work ethic. After retiring from the police department, he worked for Chevy Chase Bank as an investigator. He ultimately worked for many years at the Teamsters building in Washington DC and also his part time job just a few blocks away at the Verizon Center. After he and Barbara moved to the Delmarva peninsula he slowed down a little and worked only one job: as a Bailiff in the District Court in Salisbury, MD. Bob was known to be a kind man with a great sense of humor. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be dearly missed.
Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Barbara Ann Gross of Millsboro, DE; a brother, Warren (Jayne) Gross of New Smyrna Beach, FL; five children: Debbie Marzec of Manassas, VA; Patricia Lynn Becraft of Ranson, WV; Robert Martin Gross Jr. (Debra) of Bossier City, LA; Tracy Ann Wilfred of O’Fallon, MO and William Gross (Jennifer) of Annapolis, MD. He also leaves behind twelve grandchildren and many great grandchildren along with extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on March 25, 2023 at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, DE 19966, where friends may call from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM for Visitation. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date and time.
Letters of condolence may be emailed via
www.watsonfh.com
**FLORISTS ** Flowers needed by 10 AM on Saturday 3-25-2023
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