Bob Bainbridge
 Robert
C. Bainbridge, IV, age 56, of Alexandria, Virginia and Lewes, Delaware
passed away Friday, February 8, 2008 at his Lewes residence after a five
year battle with colon cancer. He was born November 13, 1951 in
Bismarck, North Dakota, son of Robert C. Bainbridge III and the late
Lola Bainbridge.
At the time of his death, Mr. Bainbridge
was employed as an Urban Planner with Prince William County government
in Virginia. Additionally, he was the liaison to the Prince William
County Historical Commission and worked most closely with the
Brentsville Historic Trust. Historic preservation was Bob’s passion
not only at work but at his weekend home in Lewes. Mr. Bainbridge grew
up in Richmond, VA and Charlotte, NC. He graduated from Bear Creek High
School in Littleton, CO. He began his studies at Colorado State
University then transferred to North Carolina State in Raleigh where he
earned an MS degree in Horticulture in 1974 and a Masters in Land-scape
Architecture in 1984. He started his professional career in Wilson, NC
as the City Arborist and City Planner. He relocated to Washington, DC in
1985 to work for Dewberry & Davis in Fairfax, VA and later for
Greenhorn & O’Mara in Greenbelt, MD. He was a long time resident
of Alexandria, VA and spent his weekends in Lewes since 1998.
Bob and Vince met at Rehoboth’s Blue
Moon Bar in 1988. Their connection was immediate and their love of the
place where they met led them to celebrate every anniversary at the Blue
Moon, and they had a minor collection of anything representing a blue
moon. This coming Labor Day weekend would have marked their 20th
anniversary. Family and friends gathered at the Moon’s back bar on
Friday, February 9th to raise a toast to Bob’s memory.
Rehoboth Beach was a favorite weekend
destination for the couple especially on the summer three-day holiday
weekends. They became more frequent visitors to the Cape Region in the
1990s, since many of their DC-area friends owned homes in Rehoboth or
Lewes. In 1998 they purchased a run-down house in the heart of Lewes’
historic district. With Bob’s background in architecture and historic
preservation, the restoration of their home became Bob’s passion and
favorite pastime. Over the past decade, the 1879 Second Empire Victorian
house has become a true show place and a fine example of what can be
done to preserve the sensitive architectural integrity of the old homes
in Lewes. Bob acted as a consultant to members of the Historic
Preservation Committee in Lewes and was a contributor to the Canal Front
Park. He will be sorely missed by his neighbors and extended family in
Lewes and Rehoboth. A tree will be planted in his honor at the
waterfront park.
Bob was a 23-year resident of Alexandria.
He loved all that DC and Old Town Alexandria has to offer. He loved all
the museums in the city, the DuPont and Logan Circle neighborhoods, MAL
Weekends, travel to Europe, England and the New England States. He also
enjoyed classical music, fine antiques, scuba diving, motorcycle riding
and exploring all of the great ethnic restaurants in the DC metro area.
In addition to his father, he is survived
by his partner of 20 years, Vincent; his sister Kathy Bainbridge of El
Paso, TX; his brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Faye Bainbridge of
Farmington, NM; and his Aunt Donna Egstrom of Santa Monica, CA.
A Memorial Service will be held at St.
Peter’s Episcopal Church, 2nd and Market Streets, Lewes, on Saturday,
March 29, 11 a.m.. A reception for family, friends and neighbors will
follow in the parish hall.
Memorial contributions can be made to the
Friends of Lewes Canal Front Park, 211 Front Street, Lewes, DE 19958 or
Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947 or to
Capital Hospice, ATTN: Development Office, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Suite
500, Falls Church, VA 22042.
|
Back to Top of Page 