Captain Robert Franklin Comer

Captain Robert Franklin Comer, US Navy (Retired), age 85, of Dobson NC, passed away on October 23, 2019.  He was born in Surry County on May 20, 1934 to John Woltz and Ruth Gibson Comer.  Surviving are his family whom he adored: his loving wife of 60 years Vonda Bunch Comer; his son Sean Robert Comer of Staunton VA (wife Michele and their children Hannah & Emma); his daughter Tiffany Comer Head of Reidsville NC (husband Craig and their children Madison, Atticus & Samantha); his sister-in-law Mrs. Lieselotte (Lilo) Comer of Clemmons NC; his niece Katherine Woltz Hickman of Charlottesville VA (husband Chuck); his aunt Ann Comer of Salisbury NC, and an extended family of wonderful cousins, in-laws, and friends, all of whom he loved, respected and enjoyed.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother (Major John Woltz Comer Jr., US Air Force Retired). 

Captain Comer was a graduate of UNC-CH class of 1956; the US Navy Officer Candidate School, Newport, RI; Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk VA; and the US Naval War College, Newport, RI.  A certified Surface Warfare Officer, he served 24 years in the US Navy, holding command at sea twice, the second being the destroyer USS ROWAN (DD772) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan during the Vietnam War.  He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V for Valor, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy commendation Medals and ten other medals and campaign ribbons.

Following his retirement from the Navy in 1980, he served four years as Dobson Town Manager and for the remaining years of his life he served in many capacities as a professional economic developer: as Director of Development and Planning for Surry County, as President of Surry County Economic Development Partnership, as Managing Partner of Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting, LLC, as Charter Member of Piedmont Triad Partnership Board of Directors, as Chairman of the Economic Developers Advisory Council, a partner at Creative, LLC, and as a founding member of the Horne Creek Living History Farm Committee and Mt. Airy Regional Museum of History.  He was also a 16-year member and past chair of the Board of Trustees for Surry Community College and Vice-Chair of the NC Association of Community College Trustees.  He served as president of the Dobson Lions Club and chairman of the Dobson Community Council, as well as member of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee of Dobson United Methodist Church.

Captain Comer’s memorial service will be held at The Dobson Town Cemetery at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 26, 2019.  His philosophy on life was based on the Grace of God, the power of positive thinking, and recognition that any success he achieved in life was because of good friends and a great family, most of all his devoted Vonda who was a true and faithful partner in Navy and civilian life.  He began each day by singing shower songs in praise of his five grandchildren, ending with “The Lord is in his heaven. There’ll be no whining today!” His genuine wish for all his family and friends is stated here in his own version of the Irish Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you, and all of yours.

May the sun shine warmly upon your face.

May rains fall softly on your garden, forever growing.

May fair winds be always at your back.

And until we meet again in heaven,

May God hold you tenderly in the palm of his hand.

And to all who have served in the United States Navy, he cites Psalm 107:

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters,

These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.