LT. CMDR. ROBERT D. ‘BOB’ YOUNG

SAN DIEGO – Lt. Cmdr. Robert D. “Bob” Young, U.S. Navy, 87, died Nov. 20, 2008, in his sleep. He was born Dec. 12, 1920, in Clifton, Ariz., a gritty copper mining town, to Ida and Richard Young. A year later the family moved to Southern California, eventually settling in the town of Montrose. There, Richard Young found work as a dockworker and laborer, or as Bob characterized it, a “ditch digger.” The family lived in a tent-house while Richard built their home. Bob recalls at a young age his mother, Ida, buying a single-volume encyclopedia from a door-to-door salesman – one of the few books they owned – and how this book introduced him to the world and history which, next to the Bible, would have major impacts in his life. At age 15, Bob was awarded the Eagle Scout Badge with two Palms for continued leadership. He worked hard in school, determined to improve his place in society through public education. Bob attended West Point Preparatory School at Fort Winfield Scott, San Francisco, but it was the Naval Academy he was appointed to. He graduated a year early with the Naval Academy Class of 1945 on “D-Day,” June 6, 1944. Like most of his class, Bob was sent to the Pacific theater. He was assigned to the USS Phoenix, CL-46. Aboard the Phoenix, he was engaged in combat action for 18 months, island hopping from Biak to Borneo, fighting 14 engagements in all, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On the eve of this largest naval battle of World War II Bob, then a young lieutenant, recalls that during the calm before the battle reciting the 23rd Psalm at his battle station helped ease his anxiety. Bob and the Phoenix emerged from the war unscathed. Later the Phoenix was sold to the Argentine Navy and renamed the ARA General Belgrano. Ironically, the British Navy sank the ex-USS Phoenix in 1982 during the Falklands War. After World War II, Bob attended submarine school on the East Coast, but was released before finishing the school and was reassigned to Boston. There he met his future wife, Lucy Alley of Bar Harbor. Six weeks later they were married. Bob also served in the Korean War as a commander of the Amphibious Tank Landing Ship USS Outagamie County, LST-1073, transporting men and supplies to Korea, and then repatriating Prisoners Of War at the end of the war. He was honorably discharged in 1959, but remained connected with the Navy as a Reservist. Bob and Lucy moved to San Diego in 1958. Bob worked for a defense contractor for three years before securing a civil service position with the supervisor of shipbuilding, SUPHIPS. He retired from SUPSHIPS, San Diego, in 1986. Bob was interested in history throughout his life. Bob researched and was a prolific writer on San Diego history and his naval experiences. Bob never missed an opportunity to share his knowledge with anyone who would listen; others would find a letter in the mailbox. He was a member of a historical association and a community volunteer in San Diego. In 1988 Bob was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for his efforts in San Diego. During their 43 years of marriage, Bob and Lucy made many happy trips to Maine and loved Bar Harbor. Bob had many happy memories there with family and friends. Bob always said, “Flunking out of submarine school was the best thing that ever happened to me because I never would have met the love of my life.” Bob closed many of his letters to friends and family with the traditional naval salutation that we now send to Bob, “I hope you will have a successful voyage with a tailwind and a calm sea.” Bob is survived by his daughter, Annette Susan and Christopher Howell; grandchildren, Nicole Ann and Joe Gratzer, and Patrick Howell; and one great-grandson, Wesley Gratzer. Lucy Alley, Bob’s wife of 43 years, predeceased her husband. His daughter, Katherine Emilie, also predeceased him. A graveside service with full military honors will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor, with Father Jonathan Appleyard presiding. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Jesup Memorial Library, 34 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 48 Eden St., Bar Harbor.