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Obituaries
Robert “Bob” Harold Stalnaker
Robert “Bob” Harold Stalnaker, born December 28, 1943, in Newport News, VA, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024. He was a lifelong resident of the Peninsula. Bob spent his summers working on his Aunt Eunice and Uncle Frank’s tobacco farm in Blackjack, NC, with his cousins Johnny Carr, Marty, Sue, and Clifton. He graduated from the Newport News Apprenticeship School as a shipfitter in 1970. While at the Shipyard, he was an Apprentice School Instructor and a Supervisor with Department X 33. He retired as a Senior Draftsman with John J. McMullen and Associates.
Bob played football at Newport News High School, jersey # 51, along with his friend Freddie Anspach, jersey # 25, where he was picked for the First-Team All-Tidewater and All-Eastern District Scholastic Football teams. He graduated from Fredrick Military Academy in 1964. Bob was very active in stock car racing, part-owning, fabricating, and designing an N.A.S.C.A.R. Approved Baby Grand stock car, # 39, driven by his best friend, Dan Smoker.
He spent a lot of his time helping maintain the baseball and softball fields at the North Hampton Little League and Bethel High School, where his son played ball. Bob also spent a lot of time helping at a screen-printing shop where he would design and make t-shirts for the Little League and High School events. He always had his glove stitching kit on hand and patched and fixed anyone’s glove on the spot. Bob was very handy with woodworking and metalworking and would fix and repair just about anything you brought to him. He took his daughter and her friends to the skating rink and even bought skates and learned so he could skate with them. Bob and his four-legged sidekick, Sandy, enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and were always ready for a trip to the beach.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Evelyn Stalnaker, and the mother of his children, Barbara Hill Greene.
Bob is survived by his daughter Angela Wigglesworth (Robert), son Scott (Stacey), four grandchildren, Amberly, Jonathan, Jesse Wigglesworth, and Logan Stalnaker, sister Susan Tweedell (Robert), nephews Conor (Angela) and Casey (Teresa), and six great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Peninsula Funeral Home from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Peninsula Memorial Park at 3:00 p.m.
The family would like to thank Trinity Hospice, The Newport News Nursing and Rehab, and The Meadow Lands staff, Candice, Rikita, Misha, Nikki, and Camille.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the ASPCA or your favorite charity.
9 Comments
Bob was my next door neighbor at age 6. His Dad and my Dad bought adjoining lots and built houses on each. Obviously, Bob was my best buddy as we, Freddie Anspach and a few others grew up, occasionally getting into “adventures” like climbing on top of Magruder School at night or driving our go kart we built and getting “guidance” from the Newport News Police Department when we raced the go kart down Hampton Avenue.
Bob was the best, and his mom and dad were my second parents.
I’ll miss calling and seeing you but will see you with all our other Newport News Typhoons in your next venue.
I was lucky enough to have Susan as a friend and got to spend time at the Stalnaker home. Bob was always so friendly and fun. Reading about his life proves he had a full one. Susan, I am so sorry. Bob was loved by all that knew him.
Cousin Bob was delight!
Great memories of Bob and his sister Susan spending summers at Black Jack helping us put in tobacco. One regret I have is that when Scott was playing college baseball I did not go to a ECU game that he was playing. Bob was so proud of Scott and I am told went to most of his games.
I am so thankful that Marty, Julie and I were able
To visit Bob In December. I am in Georgia working and will
Not be able to attend tomorrow. Prayers for the family and congratulations to the great job Angie and Scott did caring for Bob and Barbara in their final years ❤️
Bob and Barbara were our next door neighbors and were like family. We just loved them and they were part of the village raising our kids. Bob will be busy in his heavenly home!
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing! I never met him but knowing you tells me he was a very special man!God bless you and your family 🙏❤️
Bob was truly one of a kind. Never in a hurry or never without an opinion on just about any subject. I was fortunate to have lived just a block and a half from Bob and Forrest being witness to many a neighborhood prank. Pity the poor Guy who got too far behind on his newspaper bill. I will always remember his smile and special laughter. God did bless Bob, I’m sure he wanted to hear it in Heaven. Thanks for the memories my dear friend. Willie
He was unique, maybe even exceptionally so. He earned his rest.
Susan, I mourn your loss.
Kit Thomas
Some years ago Bob visited me at my business, Trophy World in Hilton Village and it was a fun, fun time. Even though I was a little ahead of Bob in graduating in “62 at NNHS, we had a lot in common. It is so good to see some of these Typhoon’s comments here, and get a report from Glen Davenport, you and Bob Stalnaker and so many others made NNHS so great. Sorry to say that I did not get to the services although for the graveside I was there for the services of another Typhoon Bobby Turpin. My sympathy to Bob’s family and friends.