Henry R. 'Bob' Spies

Henry R. 'Bob' Spies, 89, of Woodbury, passed away on March 19, 2017. Bob was born in Camden and has resided in Woodbury for 60 years. He graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1944. He worked for RCA until old enough to enlist in the United States Navy where he served during WWII for 2 years as a 'tin can sailor' working as a snipe on the destroyers. After being honorably discharged, Bob went to work for Coast and Geodetic Surveys. This job took him to Alaska as well as many locations on the East coast including Edenton, North Carolina where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Parker.
In February 1957 Bob joined the Army Corps of Engineers doing hydrographic surveying and mapping. He retired in July 1983 as Chief of the Survey Branch. His friends and colleagues from the Philadelphia District remained an important part of his life until the day he died. He loved his team as well as 'his' survey boat, the Shuman. He always said his job with the Corps was the best he ever had and the best people he has ever known. This job also took him all over the world including Africa and the Middle East, for which he has always been grateful.
Not one to sit still, Bob was an active member of many groups including the Sketch Club, American Legion Post 133 and the RC Flying Club, along with being a founding member of the 'Back Booth Boys', a regular breakfast club at the Country House Diner. Helping others was important to Bob whether as neighbor, family member, friend or stranger. Over the years many local groups benefitted from his community service including Boy Scouts, Kiwanis, Abilities Solutions, and Woodbury Child Development Center. A very active member of St. Patricks Parish, Bob served as an usher for over 50 years. Bob played a key role in the design and construction of the WWII memorial on Evergreen Avenue in Woodbury, dedicated in 1997.
An avid sailor and fisherman, he was in his element on the water. Equally comfortable on land, he loved being around horses and the stables, dearly loved the family dogs over the years. He was also a skilled craftsman, voracious reader, and wonderful cook. Whatever Bob pursued, he did so with passion and commitment to excellence. Never one to hold back, Bobs personal motto was 'To thine own self be true'.
Bob was predeceased by his wife Dorothy Parker. He is survived by his daughter Susan (Charles) Perron, granddaughter and greatest joy of his life Kaylee, goddaughter Barbara Crowe, godson Michael Feduska, 'other' daughter Barbara Feduska and many extended family, friends and neighbors.
Visitation Saturday 9am at DAVIS & WAGNER FUNERAL HOME 171 Delaware St. Woodbury, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial 11am Holy Angels Parish, St. Patrick Church 64 Cooper St. Woodbury, NJ. Interment Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Abilities Solutions 1208 Delsea Dr. Westville, NJ 08093 or Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum at usnasw.org. Memories and condolences shared at daviswagner.com



Military Honors

Saturday, March 25, 2017
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Davis and Wagner Funeral & Cremation Services
171 Delaware Street
Woodbury, New Jersey 08096

Saturday, March 25, 2017
11:00 AM
Holy Angels Parish, St. Patrick Church
64 Cooper Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096

Saturday, March 25, 2017
12:30 PM
Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery
240 S. Tuckahoe Road
Williamstown, New Jersey 08094

Military Honors
. .