Robert Donald Waxham
Published 2:11 pm Thursday, July 27, 2017
Smithfield—Robert (Bob) “Pop Pop” Donald Waxham of Smithfield, Virginia passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at the age of 90. Bob was born to parents Raymond and Lillian Waxham on April 8, 1927 in Silver Creek, N.Y. He grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York as one of 5 children. Bob enlisted in the Army at age 17 and served in post WWII Japan. Bob enjoyed attending Princeton, Harvard, Yale and Syracuse where he holds his degree, thanks to Uncle Sam. In 1956, he married Barbara Taylor Waxham after a very successful blind date and following courtship. Bob enjoyed an illustrious career in medical writing and marketing (listed as a Pioneer in Ultrasound by AIUM), and an even more renowned occupation as a father and grandfather. After which, he retired to his basement to write books on genealogy (available on Amazon!) “Smilin’ Bob”, as he was known to friends, was a lifelong Orioles fan, coffee-holic, avid reader and a prolific writer. He enjoyed teaching the Adult Education Class at Christ Episcopal Church and attending the Mended Hearts Club, Grid Iron Club, Fred Stanton Book Club and his Saturday morning breakfast club at Main Street Restaurant. Bob is survived by his son, Richard Waxham; daughters, Judy Winslow and partner, Michael Whalen; and Natalie Standley and her husband, Jeff; his granddaughters, Sheridan Grime and her husband, Jason; Jaclyn Smith and her husband, Jack; and Carly Ramsey; his sister, Winnie Mount and sister, Pauline Hutchinson and many, many friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie; and his brothers Ed Waxham and Russ Waxham. A Visitation for friends and family is planned for Friday, July 28 from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Little’s Funeral Home in Smithfield. The funeral will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Saturday, July 29 at 3 p.m. Bob will be interred in the Christ Church Columbarium following the service. In lieu of flowers the family is grateful for a donation in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Condolences may be registered online at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.