SAR Ceremony at Arlington Funeral for Compatriot Robert Covey

photos furnished by Col William Grayson Vice President Barry Schwoerer

5 May 2017                       Arlington National Cemetery

    Robert Wesley Covey (CDR, USN, Ret.), age 77, of Montclair, VA, passed away on
December 13, 2016. Beloved husband of Elizabeth DeChristopher Covey for 37 years.
Loving father of Carolyn Covey Morris (Nigel), and Jonathan Bruce Covey (Angela J.).
Devoted companion of Reese’s Pieces. Dear brother of Elizabeth Ann Mason (David), and Nancy Toll. He was predeceased by a sister Maryruth Berry (late John) and brother Kenneth Covey.
     Robert proudly served our country as a Commander in the United States Navy for more than 20 years. A 1962 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Robert earned his Wings of Gold in 1963. He also earned a master’s degree in operations research from the Naval Post Graduate School in 1969.
     Robert flew A-4 Skyhawks and A-6 Intruders as an attack pilot during the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of many awards and commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and Air Medals with 3 Gold Stars and Numeral 13. After his Naval career, Robert stayed in the defense and aerospace industries. Robert descended from several Revolutionary War Patriots and was a proud Compatriot of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution. He was also selected and served as a docent for nearly 20 years at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility.
     Services will be at a later date at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer. Interment with Full Military Honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Robert Covey can be made to the National Society Sons of the American Revolution or the Amyloidosis Foundation.

Robert Wesley Covey - October 18, 1939 - December 13, 2016

Bag Piper at Robert Covey's graveside service.