Robert A. and Mildred I. Villenave – Williamsburg, and formerly Chesapeake, Va., and Rostraver

Robert A. “Bob” Villenave, 89, of Williamsburg, and formerly Chesapeake, Va., and Rostraver passed away on August 9, 2019, in Williamsburg, Va. One day later, Mildred I. Villenave, 85, his wife of 65 years, also passed. Bob was born in San Antonio to Wilbur Villenave and Hazel Fell on Feb. 15 1930. Several years after his high school graduation in 1947 from the former Rostraver High School in Pricedale, Bob joined the U.S. Navy. After a successful career, he culminated his service as Commander of the USS Barracuda submarine and retired in 1972. He owned eleven acres of “pick your own strawberries and blackberries” and later started a successful wholesale and retail nursery. He was a respected author who loved plants and authored numerous horticultural articles and edited a book about life in Rostraver Township in the 1930s and 40s. Mildred was born to Andreas Lipp and Mildred Colon on June 13 1934, in Elizabeth. After graduation from dental school, Mildred became a dental assistant. Later in life she partnered with Bob working in the nursery. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she dedicated her life to family. Bob and Mildred were married on Aug. 28, 1953, in Elizabeth. Both were avid readers and enjoyed playing board games. They are survived by their granddaughter, Crystal Fountain; great-grandson, Hayden Bradshaw; and great-granddaughter, Elle Fountain; Bob’s sister, Margaret Pasterick; Mildred’s sisters, Phyllis Thompson and Marilyn Strotman; and brothers, John and Wallace Lipp; along with numerous nieces and nephews on both sides. Preceding Bob and Mildred in death was their daughter, Carolyn Cannon. Services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 30, 2019, at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, Va. Inurnment will follow. Memorial contributions can be made to the Rostraver library in the form of a contribution or book purchase in their name.