Race Roberson Obituary, Death – We regret to inform you that Rob “Race” Roberson, 58, of Virginia Beach, VA, passed away. Race passed dead on Monday, December 19, 2022, at his house. Race, a career Marine, left the service as a colonel. At the United States Naval Academy, he began his professional life as a midshipman. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt after graduating from the Naval Academy, and he later rose to the rank of artillery officer. He deployed to Operation Desert Storm not long after joining the Fleet Marine Forces. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve after the war and remained there until he had logged 30 years of service.
He was a skilled artilleryman who served as the CO of O Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Marines, CO of 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines, and CO of the 14th Marine Regiment. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Race oversaw the Fallujah District Police Training Team as a Police Implementation Officer. Race, who is known as “Once a Marine, Always a Marine,” served in the SMCR for more than 12 years, including time at Marine For Life, HQMC SAPRO, and HQMC Suicide Prevention Program. Along with his tenure as a Marine, he also held a variety of civilian jobs, such as account executive for Infor and Hexagon Federal Services and police officer with the Escondido Police Department.
He met his true love, Máire, when he was still a young lieutenant. She consented to marry him after he courted her and broke through her barriers. Conor and Shannon were their two adorable children. San Diego, Orlando, Stafford, and finally Virginia Beach, which he adored, were just a few of the places they called home. Race gave the address of their new “permanent home” the moniker “Salty Dog Way.” Race served on the board of the Veterans’ Victory Alliance, a group that aids veterans with PTSD by giving them access to a ranch in the Montana wilderness. He spent five weeks at the facility during the summer doing physical upgrades to the property since he wasn’t pleased with just generating money for the Alliance.
He was constantly involved in charities that supported soldiers and first responders through his job, his church, and other organizations, so this was not his sole philanthropic activity. He played a significant role in a church group called Compassionate Restoration in Stafford, specifically. All things Philadelphia, Star Trek, Star Wars, John Wayne, and new wave 1980s music were his passions. Race leaves behind his wife Máire, their children Shannon and Conor, his mother Sherry, and his brother KC. They kindly request donations to the Veterans Victory Alliance in place of flowers or gifts.