Robert W. Driskell, MS CM (SS), RET., 77, lost his battle to cancer on Sunday, September 4, 2023.
He was born December 26, 1945 in Washington, D.C. Bob was raised in Newark, NJ where as a bored, restless, and heading for trouble teen he enlisted in the Navy in 1962.
After completing bootcamp, he opted to join the Submarine Force. His first command, the diesel boat, USS Bugara SS-331, entered the Tonkin Gulf on the first war patrol of the Vietnam War. Bob went on to serve on the USS C. Pulaski SSBN 633, USS Lafayette SSBN 616, USS G. P. Lysocomb SSN 685 and USS JC Calhoun SSN 630. His shore command included Dam Neck, RTC Orlando as a Company Commander, Navy Food Management Team, Command Master Chef, Navy Food Service Systems Office, and the SUBIANT Force Food Service Master Chief.
Along the way Bob earned a Business degree from Columbia College and a Culinary degree from Johnson and Wales. Retiring after a 30-year career, Bob worked for Saunders Provision Company and SYSCO Foods.
He was predeceased by his first wife, mother, and stepfather.
Bob is survived by his wife of 30 years, Susan, a pack of fur babies, numerous in-laws, cousins and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, please support the Chesapeake Humane Society.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Altmeyer Funeral Home – Chesapeake Chapel, 929 S. Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake. A funeral service with full military honors will follow at noon. Bob will be laid to rest at Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton.
