Robert Reese Lovelace, 87, finished his earthly journey on Saturday, April 12, 2025, after a courageous struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, joining his Savior Jesus in Heaven.
Born in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Rose Eileen Rita Reese Lovelace and William Philip Lovelace; brother of William and Raymond Lovelace (who predeceased him); and loving father of Laura Anne (William), Colleen Anne (Neil), Teresa Anne (Joseph), and Michael Reese by former wife Karen W. Lovelace. His well-loved nine grandchildren are Katlyn Anne, Robert Herman, Luke William, Anna Rose, Maximilian Joseph, Shannon Judith, Rachel Anne, Andrea Reese, and Karl Martin. His great-grandchild is Amelia Rose.
He was married to Barbara Beck Lovelace and was stepfather to Amy, Robert, and Daniel, who are the parents of his five step-grandchildren, Lindsey Rose, Chase Daniel, Cash Jordan, Waverly Jane, and Cassidy Osmond. A special member of Bob’s family was Louie, a cherished cockatiel, with whom he and Barbara shared life for almost 22 years. Bob and Barbara shared two waterfront homes in Urbanna since 2000, and during the last 18 years of his life, he and Barbara also enjoyed two lakeside homes in Mount Dora, Fla.
Bob attended St. John’s College High School and Washington & Lee University and graduated from American University.
He lived for more than 45 years in various cities in Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, Herndon, McLean, Reston, and Fairfax, before moving to Urbanna in 2000.
He retired after 35 years of broad-based business activities in sales, trade association management, and personnel administration, including ownership of a business. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and in other civic leadership roles for organizations such as the McLean Business and Professional Association. As a retirement career, he joined the travel industry as a master cruise counselor.
A 40-year member of Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow, Bob initiated and volunteered for numerous Rotary community, voca-tional, and international service activities. He served as president of the McLean Rotary Club from 1981 to 1982; under his leadership, the club received the “Most Outstanding Club in District 760” award. In 2000, he conceived, organized, and led, for the McLean Rotary Club Foundation Inc., a fund-raising home and art tour to benefit the Hospice of Northern Virginia at the home and art collection of Richard and Mary Kelly of Great Falls.
After moving to Urbanna, Bob was active in the Middlesex Rotary Club and served as a member of the executive board of the Middlesex Art Guild, playing a leadership role in fundraising and program planning for that organization. He was president of the Christ Church Episcopal Brotherhood and also a member of the task force charged with fundraising and facilitation of the addition to the church’s parish hall.
In addition, he served for 10 years as a member of the board of directors of Youth for Tomorrow, a home and school in Gainesville, founded by Joe Gibbs for at-risk boys and girls. He also spent several years on the board of directors for Jacob’s Ladder, a local organization meeting the specialized needs of gifted and talented young people living in at-risk home environments. Along with Barbara, he played a key role in the establishment and operation of Marriage Management Inc., a Texas-based charitable organization with a goal to strengthen veteran and military marriages. He also volunteered at St. Matthew’s House, a Florida-based charity offering new life opportunities to homeless and addicted people.
His interests included landscaping and gardening, Redskins football, boating and fishing, family togetherness, and extensive worldwide travel with Barbara. He and Barbara are members of Urbanna Baptist Church.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be conducted at Urbanna Baptist Church in May or June at a date and time to be announced.
