Robert Charles Bayliss Jr.

Please click here to view the Live Stream of the Funeral Service. The Live Stream of the Funeral Service for Mr. Robert C. Bayliss, Jr. will begin at 12:00pm on Thursday, February 18th.

Digital Funeral Program

Robert Charles Bayliss Jr., affectionately known as “Bobby”, “Bob” and “RC”, was born January 3, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Catherine Edwards and Robert C. Bayliss Sr. He was raised in a close-knit family with two older sisters, Barbara and Cathy, one younger brother, John and one younger sister, Patricia.  He was baptized and confirmed at Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Washington DC and departed this life on February 4, 2021.

Robert graduated from Eastern High School in Detroit Michigan in 1960. After graduating, he enlisted in the Air Force. He served in active duty from 1960 to 1964 and the Air Force Reserves from 1964 to1966, receiving an honorable discharge at a rank of A1C E4. Upon returning home to Detroit, he attended High Park Community College from 1966-1970 while working for the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit.  He made the move from Detroit to Washington DC when he was recruited by the Metropolitan Police Department in December 1970. While on the force, Robert completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the Federal City College in 1975.  Continuing his education, he also received a Master of Public Administration from the American University in 1980.  He served on the police force for 24 years until his retirement in 1994.  He took a one year sabbatical to deal with a prostate cancer diagnosis.  In 1996, he returned to work briefly as a substitute teacher for the Prince George County Public Schools but his heart was always in protecting others so when the Department of Justice’s United States Marshals Service called, he went on to serve in Court Security.  He also worked at the Holocaust Museum, DC Superior Court and several other federal agencies in Washington DC until his health began to decline in 2017.  As a volunteer, he also served as a Neighborhood Watch Captain in our Holmhurst South neighborhood in Bowie, MD for many years.

In 1980, while voting to legalize gambling for Washington DC, Robert met his future wife, Jeanette, at the Bertie Backus Junior High School in Washington DC (our polling place), who was also there to vote.  They introduced themselves and realized, they shared the same belief regarding the vote.  Though Robert lived right across the street from the polling place, Jeanette stilled offered him a ride to his apartment.  It was love at first sight. A year later, they married on August 29, 1981. From this union, two children were born – Terrence in 1989 and Terra in 1992.  These children were his pride and joy.  As a family, we enjoyed celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, holiday celebrations and family vacations. So many wonderful memories!

Robert was an avid bowler and quickly discovered that Jeanette was too!  They bowled together on many leagues at Fairlanes, Bowl America and Crofton Bowl.   As soon as Terrence and Terra were old enough, they too joined us in the bowling alley. He also loved swimming which he enjoyed doing so with his children the most.  He always wanted his kids to play an instrument.  He was very happy to see that Terrence expressed interest in the saxophone and Terra with the flute.  When they joined the Arundel High School Marching Band, he became a very active band parent, never missing a competition, concert or half-time show at the football games. He loved watching Game of Thrones and Mr. Robot, and he never missed an episode.  Despite being from Detroit, he was a big Washington Football Team fan. He loved the team and especially loved watching them beat the Dallas Cowboys with his father-in-law, Donald Marshall who was a Dallas fan.

Robert was a witty, charismatic and honorable man. You could always find him out on the dance floor or in the middle of Crittenden Street near his mother-in-law’s home in Washington DC, doing the electric slide at the neighborhood block party. If you ask his daughter Terra, he made the best tuna and chili you could imagine.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert C. Bayliss, Sr., his mother Catherine Edwards, and two sisters, Barbara and Cathy.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Jeanette, of over 39 years, his son, Terrence Marshall Bayliss and daughter, Terra Monique Bayliss.  He is also survived by his brother, John Bayliss (Vonnye) of Detroit, MI and a sister, Patricia Bayliss of Baltimore, MD, sister-in-law, Lynne Marshall, brother-in-laws David Marshall (Pam) and Jeffrey Marshall, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.