Robert James “Rob” Walters, AT-3, USN, 23, died in a one-car accident on Ault Field Road Jan. 30, 2005, while enroute to work. He was born Sept. 29, 1981, in Englewood, Colo., to James H. and Marlene A. (Dryer) Walters.

Rob moved to Rochester Hills, Mich., while in the second grade and attended St. John’s Lutheran School. He graduated from Lutheran High School Northwest with the Class of 2000.

While in high school, Rob was a member of the varsity cross-country and tennis teams. He was also a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps at school and enjoyed music and movies. He was a devoted Christian and a true friend. He was a member of Living Word Lutheran Church.

Rob joined the U. S. Navy on a delayed entry program and following graduation, was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Center. His sister Marjorie also entered the Navy and the two were honored for simultaneous service in their hometown of Rochester Hills.

On Jan. 3, 2001, Rob, or “Wally” as his shipmates at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station knew him, was transferred to NAS Whidbey Island and assigned to VAQ-134. During his tenure with the squadron he was assigned duty in Turkey and Saudi Arabia and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch.

Rob was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Sea Service Deployment ribbons, the National Defense Service medal, two Air Force Outstanding Unit with Valor, three Joint Meritorious Unit Awards and the Battle “E” and the Navy achievement Medal.

Rob is survived by his mother, Marlene Walters of Little Elm, Texas; his father, James Walters of Tucson, Ariz.; two sisters, Christine Catrib and her husband Moussa of Dayton, Ohio, and Marjorie Walters of Hampton Roads, Va.

Funeral services for Robert J. Walters were held at NAS Whidbey Base Chapel Feb. 3, with Lt. Alfred V. Pena, CHC, USNR officiating. Interment with full military honors followed at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, on Feb. 4, 2005, with CDR. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret) officiating.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.