Capt. Robert Lowe Face was the last of generations of his family who tied their livelihoods to saltwater.
He was a pilot with the Virginia Pilot Association for more than 46 years. He was one of only a handful of members of the association who were licensed to guide ships on all of the navigable water within the state of Virginia.
Capt. Face was named after his mother's maternal grandfather, Robert H. Lowe (1844-1876), a Maine sea captain, who died at sea in 1876 before ever seeing his last child: Capt. Face's grandmother, Mary Lowe Muhlig (1876-1963).
Bob Face's great-great uncle, Capt. William Haley Face (1827-1894), was Acting Master of the CSS Teaser in the Battle of Hampton Roads (1862) and was later one of the founders of the Pilot Association. Capt. William Haley Face took his middle name from his maternal grandmother's father, Capt. Samuel Haley of the Virginia Navy, mentioned later in this biography.
William Haley Face's son, Capt. George Washington Face (1851-1933), was also a Virginia Pilot. He watched his father participate in the Battle of Hampton Roads through a pair of field glasses, while perched in a tree on Sewell's Point in what was then Norfolk County.
Astonishingly, five of Bob Face's ancestors – including three of his 4th great grandfathers – were officers in the service of Virginia during the American Revolution
Capt. Edward Face was born in 1724. In 1781, he and four hands serving on his sloop John spent 70 days "for the use of the troops at the Seege of York Town under the Command of his Excellency Gen'l Washington."
The father-in-law of Capt. Edward Face's son (William) was Samuel Haley, a captain in the Virginia Navy who commanded the Hornet and the Mayflower.
Lt. Jonathan Barrett (great-grandfather of Bob Face's great-grandmother, Elizabeth Widgeon Dunbar Face, 1831-1913) also served in the Virginia Navy. Jonathan Barrett was a resident of Princess Anne County, Virginia. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Virginia Navy on July 12, 1776. He served on the Virginia Navy Brig Raleigh commanded by Capt. Edward Travis, which was captured in May 1777 by HM Frigate Thames. Lt. Barrett was transferred to New York where he died after a painful imprisonment of nearly twelve months, probably confined aboard one of the notorious prison ships of that period. Some 11,500 men and women died due to overcrowding, contaminated water, starvation and disease on the 16 prison ships anchored in the East River. The bodies of those who died were hastily buried along the shore. This is now commemorated by the "Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument" in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, New York. Barrett's widow, Amy Barrett, lived in Princess Anne County, much of which became modern day Virginia Beach.
Lt. Jonathan Barrett's brothers – John and James – were also officers in the Virginia Navy. Capt. John Barrett commanded the Galley Hero, on which James served as a Boatswain. For a short time, James commanded Liberty as its Acting Captain.
Bob Face was a native of Norfolk and lived in Virginia Beach from 1961 until his death on January 8, 2006.
Bob Face grew up at 1117 Magnolia Avenue in Norfolk's Larchmont section, within walking distance of his paternal grandparents (at 1002 Larchmont Crescent), down the street from his maternal grandparents (at 1008 Magnolia Avenue) and across the street from his paternal aunt, Catherine Morton Face Page, who married her childhood sweetheart, Lawrence "Laurie" Page, Norfolk lawyer, Postmaster and City Councilman.
He first married Catherine Olney McVay (whom everyone called "Sister"). They would live in Riverpoint in Norfolk with their twin daughters (Catherine and Olney) before moving into a lovely colonial styled home on a large waterfront lot in Great Neck Point, Virginia Beach. It was built in 1961 in what was then Princess Anne County by Face Construction Company, which was operated by Bob Face's father and brother.
Mrs. Face died of cancer in 1982.
Bob Face's second wife was Thelma Roberta Hill, who was born in Woodlawn, Virginia in 1934.
Bob Face often played a much appreciated supportive role in the Face family companies, which were founded by Bob Face's great-grandfather, Edward Webster Face (1829-1907) in 1867. The Face Companies continued operations in construction-related fields at the time of Capt. Face's death.
Bob Face served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II when, just out of Maury High School, he helped shuttle hundreds of navy ships and merchant vessels in and out of the Port of Hampton Roads under the notoriously dangerous blackout conditions of that time.
As a veteran pilot, he was the "favorite" of ship captains from around the world. He had the honor of piloting royal yachts and cruise ships as well as hundreds of merchant and military vessels.
Bob Face loved taking cruises. On such occasions, the pilotage in and out of Hampton Roads was much easier for the cruise ships. They didn't need to slow down to pick up and drop off the Virginia Pilot: he was already onboard!
Capt. Face was a member of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church. He served for many years in the United Methodist Men, of which he was a past president. The group always looked forward to his cooking -- especially his wonderful cakes.
He assisted with the Food Bank at the church, also Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for the needy.
Mr. Face enjoyed making beef Wellington for guests.
People were very important to him.
Capt. Face was the son of Samuel Allen Face, Sr. (1890-1971) and Dorothy Elizabeth Muhlig Face (1901-1993). He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Olney McVay Face, and his brother, Samuel A. Face, Jr.
Survivors included his wife, Thelma M. Face; four children, Olney E. Kliewer and Catherine M. Face, both of Grand Lake, Colo., Preston R. McIlwaine of Virginia Beach and Elizabeth M. Schreiner of Culpepper, Va.; two nephews, Brad and Allen Face; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held January 12, 2006 at 11 a.m. in Princess Anne Memorial Park by the Rev Dr. Bob Cooper.
H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road Chapel, handled arrangements.
He was a pilot with the Virginia Pilot Association for more than 46 years. He was one of only a handful of members of the association who were licensed to guide ships on all of the navigable water within the state of Virginia.
Capt. Face was named after his mother's maternal grandfather, Robert H. Lowe (1844-1876), a Maine sea captain, who died at sea in 1876 before ever seeing his last child: Capt. Face's grandmother, Mary Lowe Muhlig (1876-1963).
Bob Face's great-great uncle, Capt. William Haley Face (1827-1894), was Acting Master of the CSS Teaser in the Battle of Hampton Roads (1862) and was later one of the founders of the Pilot Association. Capt. William Haley Face took his middle name from his maternal grandmother's father, Capt. Samuel Haley of the Virginia Navy, mentioned later in this biography.
William Haley Face's son, Capt. George Washington Face (1851-1933), was also a Virginia Pilot. He watched his father participate in the Battle of Hampton Roads through a pair of field glasses, while perched in a tree on Sewell's Point in what was then Norfolk County.
Astonishingly, five of Bob Face's ancestors – including three of his 4th great grandfathers – were officers in the service of Virginia during the American Revolution
Capt. Edward Face was born in 1724. In 1781, he and four hands serving on his sloop John spent 70 days "for the use of the troops at the Seege of York Town under the Command of his Excellency Gen'l Washington."
The father-in-law of Capt. Edward Face's son (William) was Samuel Haley, a captain in the Virginia Navy who commanded the Hornet and the Mayflower.
Lt. Jonathan Barrett (great-grandfather of Bob Face's great-grandmother, Elizabeth Widgeon Dunbar Face, 1831-1913) also served in the Virginia Navy. Jonathan Barrett was a resident of Princess Anne County, Virginia. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Virginia Navy on July 12, 1776. He served on the Virginia Navy Brig Raleigh commanded by Capt. Edward Travis, which was captured in May 1777 by HM Frigate Thames. Lt. Barrett was transferred to New York where he died after a painful imprisonment of nearly twelve months, probably confined aboard one of the notorious prison ships of that period. Some 11,500 men and women died due to overcrowding, contaminated water, starvation and disease on the 16 prison ships anchored in the East River. The bodies of those who died were hastily buried along the shore. This is now commemorated by the "Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument" in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, New York. Barrett's widow, Amy Barrett, lived in Princess Anne County, much of which became modern day Virginia Beach.
Lt. Jonathan Barrett's brothers – John and James – were also officers in the Virginia Navy. Capt. John Barrett commanded the Galley Hero, on which James served as a Boatswain. For a short time, James commanded Liberty as its Acting Captain.
Bob Face was a native of Norfolk and lived in Virginia Beach from 1961 until his death on January 8, 2006.
Bob Face grew up at 1117 Magnolia Avenue in Norfolk's Larchmont section, within walking distance of his paternal grandparents (at 1002 Larchmont Crescent), down the street from his maternal grandparents (at 1008 Magnolia Avenue) and across the street from his paternal aunt, Catherine Morton Face Page, who married her childhood sweetheart, Lawrence "Laurie" Page, Norfolk lawyer, Postmaster and City Councilman.
He first married Catherine Olney McVay (whom everyone called "Sister"). They would live in Riverpoint in Norfolk with their twin daughters (Catherine and Olney) before moving into a lovely colonial styled home on a large waterfront lot in Great Neck Point, Virginia Beach. It was built in 1961 in what was then Princess Anne County by Face Construction Company, which was operated by Bob Face's father and brother.
Mrs. Face died of cancer in 1982.
Bob Face's second wife was Thelma Roberta Hill, who was born in Woodlawn, Virginia in 1934.
Bob Face often played a much appreciated supportive role in the Face family companies, which were founded by Bob Face's great-grandfather, Edward Webster Face (1829-1907) in 1867. The Face Companies continued operations in construction-related fields at the time of Capt. Face's death.
Bob Face served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II when, just out of Maury High School, he helped shuttle hundreds of navy ships and merchant vessels in and out of the Port of Hampton Roads under the notoriously dangerous blackout conditions of that time.
As a veteran pilot, he was the "favorite" of ship captains from around the world. He had the honor of piloting royal yachts and cruise ships as well as hundreds of merchant and military vessels.
Bob Face loved taking cruises. On such occasions, the pilotage in and out of Hampton Roads was much easier for the cruise ships. They didn't need to slow down to pick up and drop off the Virginia Pilot: he was already onboard!
Capt. Face was a member of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church. He served for many years in the United Methodist Men, of which he was a past president. The group always looked forward to his cooking -- especially his wonderful cakes.
He assisted with the Food Bank at the church, also Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for the needy.
Mr. Face enjoyed making beef Wellington for guests.
People were very important to him.
Capt. Face was the son of Samuel Allen Face, Sr. (1890-1971) and Dorothy Elizabeth Muhlig Face (1901-1993). He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Olney McVay Face, and his brother, Samuel A. Face, Jr.
Survivors included his wife, Thelma M. Face; four children, Olney E. Kliewer and Catherine M. Face, both of Grand Lake, Colo., Preston R. McIlwaine of Virginia Beach and Elizabeth M. Schreiner of Culpepper, Va.; two nephews, Brad and Allen Face; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held January 12, 2006 at 11 a.m. in Princess Anne Memorial Park by the Rev Dr. Bob Cooper.
H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road Chapel, handled arrangements.
Capt. Robert Lowe Face was the last of generations of his family who tied their livelihoods to saltwater.
He was a pilot with the Virginia Pilot Association for more than 46 years. He was one of only a handful of members of the association who were licensed to guide ships on all of the navigable water within the state of Virginia.
Capt. Face was named after his mother's maternal grandfather, Robert H. Lowe (1844-1876), a Maine sea captain, who died at sea in 1876 before ever seeing his last child: Capt. Face's grandmother, Mary Lowe Muhlig (1876-1963).
Bob Face's great-great uncle, Capt. William Haley Face (1827-1894), was Acting Master of the CSS Teaser in the Battle of Hampton Roads (1862) and was later one of the founders of the Pilot Association. Capt. William Haley Face took his middle name from his maternal grandmother's father, Capt. Samuel Haley of the Virginia Navy, mentioned later in this biography.
William Haley Face's son, Capt. George Washington Face (1851-1933), was also a Virginia Pilot. He watched his father participate in the Battle of Hampton Roads through a pair of field glasses, while perched in a tree on Sewell's Point in what was then Norfolk County.
Astonishingly, five of Bob Face's ancestors – including three of his 4th great grandfathers – were officers in the service of Virginia during the American Revolution
Capt. Edward Face was born in 1724. In 1781, he and four hands serving on his sloop John spent 70 days "for the use of the troops at the Seege of York Town under the Command of his Excellency Gen'l Washington."
The father-in-law of Capt. Edward Face's son (William) was Samuel Haley, a captain in the Virginia Navy who commanded the Hornet and the Mayflower.
Lt. Jonathan Barrett (great-grandfather of Bob Face's great-grandmother, Elizabeth Widgeon Dunbar Face, 1831-1913) also served in the Virginia Navy. Jonathan Barrett was a resident of Princess Anne County, Virginia. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Virginia Navy on July 12, 1776. He served on the Virginia Navy Brig Raleigh commanded by Capt. Edward Travis, which was captured in May 1777 by HM Frigate Thames. Lt. Barrett was transferred to New York where he died after a painful imprisonment of nearly twelve months, probably confined aboard one of the notorious prison ships of that period. Some 11,500 men and women died due to overcrowding, contaminated water, starvation and disease on the 16 prison ships anchored in the East River. The bodies of those who died were hastily buried along the shore. This is now commemorated by the "Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument" in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, New York. Barrett's widow, Amy Barrett, lived in Princess Anne County, much of which became modern day Virginia Beach.
Lt. Jonathan Barrett's brothers – John and James – were also officers in the Virginia Navy. Capt. John Barrett commanded the Galley Hero, on which James served as a Boatswain. For a short time, James commanded Liberty as its Acting Captain.
Bob Face was a native of Norfolk and lived in Virginia Beach from 1961 until his death on January 8, 2006.
Bob Face grew up at 1117 Magnolia Avenue in Norfolk's Larchmont section, within walking distance of his paternal grandparents (at 1002 Larchmont Crescent), down the street from his maternal grandparents (at 1008 Magnolia Avenue) and across the street from his paternal aunt, Catherine Morton Face Page, who married her childhood sweetheart, Lawrence "Laurie" Page, Norfolk lawyer, Postmaster and City Councilman.
He first married Catherine Olney McVay (whom everyone called "Sister"). They would live in Riverpoint in Norfolk with their twin daughters (Catherine and Olney) before moving into a lovely colonial styled home on a large waterfront lot in Great Neck Point, Virginia Beach. It was built in 1961 in what was then Princess Anne County by Face Construction Company, which was operated by Bob Face's father and brother.
Mrs. Face died of cancer in 1982.
Bob Face's second wife was Thelma Roberta Hill, who was born in Woodlawn, Virginia in 1934.
Bob Face often played a much appreciated supportive role in the Face family companies, which were founded by Bob Face's great-grandfather, Edward Webster Face (1829-1907) in 1867. The Face Companies continued operations in construction-related fields at the time of Capt. Face's death.
Bob Face served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II when, just out of Maury High School, he helped shuttle hundreds of navy ships and merchant vessels in and out of the Port of Hampton Roads under the notoriously dangerous blackout conditions of that time.
As a veteran pilot, he was the "favorite" of ship captains from around the world. He had the honor of piloting royal yachts and cruise ships as well as hundreds of merchant and military vessels.
Bob Face loved taking cruises. On such occasions, the pilotage in and out of Hampton Roads was much easier for the cruise ships. They didn't need to slow down to pick up and drop off the Virginia Pilot: he was already onboard!
Capt. Face was a member of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church. He served for many years in the United Methodist Men, of which he was a past president. The group always looked forward to his cooking -- especially his wonderful cakes.
He assisted with the Food Bank at the church, also Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for the needy.
Mr. Face enjoyed making beef Wellington for guests.
People were very important to him.
Capt. Face was the son of Samuel Allen Face, Sr. (1890-1971) and Dorothy Elizabeth Muhlig Face (1901-1993). He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Olney McVay Face, and his brother, Samuel A. Face, Jr.
Survivors included his wife, Thelma M. Face; four children, Olney E. Kliewer and Catherine M. Face, both of Grand Lake, Colo., Preston R. McIlwaine of Virginia Beach and Elizabeth M. Schreiner of Culpepper, Va.; two nephews, Brad and Allen Face; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held January 12, 2006 at 11 a.m. in Princess Anne Memorial Park by the Rev Dr. Bob Cooper.
H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road Chapel, handled arrangements.
He was a pilot with the Virginia Pilot Association for more than 46 years. He was one of only a handful of members of the association who were licensed to guide ships on all of the navigable water within the state of Virginia.
Capt. Face was named after his mother's maternal grandfather, Robert H. Lowe (1844-1876), a Maine sea captain, who died at sea in 1876 before ever seeing his last child: Capt. Face's grandmother, Mary Lowe Muhlig (1876-1963).
Bob Face's great-great uncle, Capt. William Haley Face (1827-1894), was Acting Master of the CSS Teaser in the Battle of Hampton Roads (1862) and was later one of the founders of the Pilot Association. Capt. William Haley Face took his middle name from his maternal grandmother's father, Capt. Samuel Haley of the Virginia Navy, mentioned later in this biography.
William Haley Face's son, Capt. George Washington Face (1851-1933), was also a Virginia Pilot. He watched his father participate in the Battle of Hampton Roads through a pair of field glasses, while perched in a tree on Sewell's Point in what was then Norfolk County.
Astonishingly, five of Bob Face's ancestors – including three of his 4th great grandfathers – were officers in the service of Virginia during the American Revolution
Capt. Edward Face was born in 1724. In 1781, he and four hands serving on his sloop John spent 70 days "for the use of the troops at the Seege of York Town under the Command of his Excellency Gen'l Washington."
The father-in-law of Capt. Edward Face's son (William) was Samuel Haley, a captain in the Virginia Navy who commanded the Hornet and the Mayflower.
Lt. Jonathan Barrett (great-grandfather of Bob Face's great-grandmother, Elizabeth Widgeon Dunbar Face, 1831-1913) also served in the Virginia Navy. Jonathan Barrett was a resident of Princess Anne County, Virginia. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Virginia Navy on July 12, 1776. He served on the Virginia Navy Brig Raleigh commanded by Capt. Edward Travis, which was captured in May 1777 by HM Frigate Thames. Lt. Barrett was transferred to New York where he died after a painful imprisonment of nearly twelve months, probably confined aboard one of the notorious prison ships of that period. Some 11,500 men and women died due to overcrowding, contaminated water, starvation and disease on the 16 prison ships anchored in the East River. The bodies of those who died were hastily buried along the shore. This is now commemorated by the "Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument" in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, New York. Barrett's widow, Amy Barrett, lived in Princess Anne County, much of which became modern day Virginia Beach.
Lt. Jonathan Barrett's brothers – John and James – were also officers in the Virginia Navy. Capt. John Barrett commanded the Galley Hero, on which James served as a Boatswain. For a short time, James commanded Liberty as its Acting Captain.
Bob Face was a native of Norfolk and lived in Virginia Beach from 1961 until his death on January 8, 2006.
Bob Face grew up at 1117 Magnolia Avenue in Norfolk's Larchmont section, within walking distance of his paternal grandparents (at 1002 Larchmont Crescent), down the street from his maternal grandparents (at 1008 Magnolia Avenue) and across the street from his paternal aunt, Catherine Morton Face Page, who married her childhood sweetheart, Lawrence "Laurie" Page, Norfolk lawyer, Postmaster and City Councilman.
He first married Catherine Olney McVay (whom everyone called "Sister"). They would live in Riverpoint in Norfolk with their twin daughters (Catherine and Olney) before moving into a lovely colonial styled home on a large waterfront lot in Great Neck Point, Virginia Beach. It was built in 1961 in what was then Princess Anne County by Face Construction Company, which was operated by Bob Face's father and brother.
Mrs. Face died of cancer in 1982.
Bob Face's second wife was Thelma Roberta Hill, who was born in Woodlawn, Virginia in 1934.
Bob Face often played a much appreciated supportive role in the Face family companies, which were founded by Bob Face's great-grandfather, Edward Webster Face (1829-1907) in 1867. The Face Companies continued operations in construction-related fields at the time of Capt. Face's death.
Bob Face served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II when, just out of Maury High School, he helped shuttle hundreds of navy ships and merchant vessels in and out of the Port of Hampton Roads under the notoriously dangerous blackout conditions of that time.
As a veteran pilot, he was the "favorite" of ship captains from around the world. He had the honor of piloting royal yachts and cruise ships as well as hundreds of merchant and military vessels.
Bob Face loved taking cruises. On such occasions, the pilotage in and out of Hampton Roads was much easier for the cruise ships. They didn't need to slow down to pick up and drop off the Virginia Pilot: he was already onboard!
Capt. Face was a member of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church. He served for many years in the United Methodist Men, of which he was a past president. The group always looked forward to his cooking -- especially his wonderful cakes.
He assisted with the Food Bank at the church, also Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for the needy.
Mr. Face enjoyed making beef Wellington for guests.
People were very important to him.
Capt. Face was the son of Samuel Allen Face, Sr. (1890-1971) and Dorothy Elizabeth Muhlig Face (1901-1993). He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Olney McVay Face, and his brother, Samuel A. Face, Jr.
Survivors included his wife, Thelma M. Face; four children, Olney E. Kliewer and Catherine M. Face, both of Grand Lake, Colo., Preston R. McIlwaine of Virginia Beach and Elizabeth M. Schreiner of Culpepper, Va.; two nephews, Brad and Allen Face; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held January 12, 2006 at 11 a.m. in Princess Anne Memorial Park by the Rev Dr. Bob Cooper.
H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road Chapel, handled arrangements.
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