Robert Allen Major

Robert Allen "Bob" Major, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and proud U.S. Coast Guard veteran, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2025, at the age of 83.

Born in Washington, D.C., Bob was the eldest child and only son of Mary Ewin Major and Samuel Robertson Major. He was the fourth generation of his family to make their home in the capitol city and the third generation to be active in the congregation of Foundry Methodist Church. Throughout his childhood Bob and his family lived in the small row house on R St NW that his father had purchased as a home for himself and Mary just before they married in 1939. Bob’s early years were filled with leadership, service, and scholarship, including serving as captain of the School Safety Patrol at Fillmore Elementary, leading the stage crew at Gordon Junior High, serving in the High School Cadets at Western High School (now Duke Ellington School of the Arts), and being named an Engineering Scholar by the George Washington University upon graduation from Western. For many years he was a paper delivery boy for the Washington Star newspaper, earning and saving enough money to buy his first car (a Volkswagen Beetle). Bob was extremely proud of his involvement with scouting. He was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Explorer Scout before attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. As an Eagle Scout, he completed a “roving tour” from Washington DC to Philmont Scout Camp outside Flagstaff, AZ.

Every summer the Major family vacationed at their beach cottage in Ship Bottom, NJ, a seaside town on Long Beach Island. The family relished their time on this beautiful barrier island on the mid-Atlantic coast, swimming, building soapbox derby cars and boats, fishing, and eating just about everything they caught. Later, as an adult and father, Bob passed on his boyhood passions to his children who he taught to catch blue crabs in the bay, safely play in the rolling surf, and fix and build things with the countless old tools that his father Sam had stocked in the garage.

Bob earned admission as a cadet in the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, where he graduated with honors in 1963. After graduation, and while serving as an officer in the Coast Guard, he was selected to continue his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned degrees in Naval Engineering and Mechanical Engineering in 1968. During his time in the Coast Guard, he served aboard the USCGC Androscoggin out of Miami, FL, and other posts around the U.S., retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1973. Following his military service, he worked as a naval engineer at ARCTEC in Montreal, Canada, and Washington, DC, EXXON Production Research in New Jersey and Houston, Texas, and finally at the American Bureau of Shipping in Houston before retiring in 2008.

In 1988, Bob married Elizabeth Kennady, who he’d met in a Sunday school class at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston. They traveled the world together as Bob’s jobs took him to several continents. Bob fully embraced his adopted home in Texas and enjoyed the cosmopolitan offerings of the city of Houston, real Texan barbeque, church picnics, and the short, mild winters.

After retirement, Bob and Elizabeth moved from Houston to their vacation home on the Medina River in Bandera, TX. There, Bob relished the peace of riverside life. He was an active and faithful member of Bandera United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and served as a volunteer with the Kairos Ministry. He also remained active in the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association and attended reunion events whenever he was able.

An avid runner, skier, and boater throughout his life, Bob enjoyed physical fitness and often competed in amateur and community races. When he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his fifties he was forced to adapt, but he remained as active as possible through swimming and other water sports. Undeterred by his sometimes-uncooperative legs, he persisted in being independent and intrepid in getting around for longer than many thought he would be able. When he could no longer run himself, he sponsored others in races to raise funds for MS research.

Bob is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Kennady Major; daughter Candace Major and son-in-law Mike Jackson; son Kent Major and daughter-in-law Amie, parents of cherished granddaughters Charlotte and Sadie; son Evan Major; sisters Nina Major Lord and Sara Major Purcell; brother-in-law John Kennady and his wife Patti; brother-in-law Bruce Kennady; sister-in-law Katherine Kennady; five nephews and three nieces and their spouses; and ex-wife Linda Dodd-Major. He was predeceased by beloved sons Ian Major and Colin Major.

A memorial service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.