Robert ‘Bob’ H. Salassi

Published 10:01 am Thursday, January 2, 2025

Robert “Bob” H. Salassi of Lynchburg, Virginia finished his race and was called to his eternal home Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the age of 91. He was born in Vicksburg Jan. 20, 1933, to Walter W. Salassi and Ruby Russell Salassi and met the woman he would marry, Dorothy June Norman (Dot), 20 years later in Vicksburg. They were married for 70 years. Known by many as Bob, his was a life well lived with many blessings along the way.

A member of First Baptist Church, Monroe, Virginia, for 11 years, he loved the fellowship and missed being able to attend due to being the primary caregiver to his wife for the past three and a half years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Robbie F. Williams; a son, Stephen L. Salassi (Brenda); a grandson, Jimmie N. Williams III, all of Madison Heights, Virginia; a granddaughter, Tara B. Napier (George) of Nelson County, Virginia.; and a sister, Ruth Warndoff.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son, George K. Salassi; a granddaughter, Stephanie Leigh Williams; a great-grandson, George W. Napier III; a sister, Edith O’Brien; and four brothers, Walter, Edward, Russell, and Rodney Salassi.

Bob did what many young boys did in the 1940s and, lying about his age, enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard in 1947 at the age of 14. Over the next several years he attained the rank of staff sergeant. When his true age was discovered, he was shipped to Berlin in 1950 at the age of 17 and served there for two years. Upon returning home to Mississippi, he married, started a family and enlisted in the Naval Reserves, obtaining the rank of petty officer 3rd class. He served on the USNS Barrett, the USNS Gen. Stuart Heintzelman and the USS Prescott. He eventually settled into a career in the paper mill industry and retired at the age of 62 from Greif Brothers in Riverville, Virginia.

Early retirement was a blessing that enabled him and Dot to travel the world, and he so generously included his family on most of these trips. As a history buff and avid reader, especially military history, he shared with his children and grandchildren wonderful insights and an appreciation for history and for what those who came before us have contributed. He and Dot took many road trips to visit quaint and unique bookstores. Throughout his life, Bob supported many veteran causes, political candidates, various charities and Israel.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 3, at Robinson Funeral Home with Pastor Glynn Coleman officiating. A private burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery.

The family will receive friends following the service.

The family has been blessed by, and wishes to express their profound gratitude to, the compassionate caring staff of Centra Hospice, and a very special thank you to Jill and Dean Hostetter and Vicky Booth for the love, care, encouragement and support given to both Bob and Dot in Bob’s final weeks of life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Gleaning for the World in Concord, VA, www.gftw.org.

Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. An online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com.