Robert Stephen Durbin

Robert Stephen Durbin was born on April 19, 1943 in Louisville, KY, the son of Charles and Dorothy Durbin. After being raised in Louisville and attending Catholic schools, he moved to Maryland and lived with his Aunt Sissy in Chevy Chase. Bob went to work as a car hop at Marriott Hot Shoppes in Silver Spring.  Two years later, he joined the Army with his close friend, Ed Williford.  Upon completion of training at Fort Knox, he served as a tank driver in West Germany, which included being on high alert and fully-armed at the border when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  While stationed in West Germany, Bob helped to create a trade line between soldiers on opposing sides of America and Germany, exchanging cigarettes and vodka.  After serving our country, he returned to work at Hot Shoppes, this time in a management position.

In 1975, Bob transferred to Marriott's Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant Division, eventually promoting to a District Manager in the DC Region.  He first met his wife, Pamela Joy, in 1976 and they married in 1981. After retiring from Marriott Corporation in 1983, Bob opened The Brass Lantern Inn with Andy Moore, formerly owned by Washington Redskin Hall-Of-Famer, Joe Theismann. He went on to own and operate Phinian's in Glen Burnie, MD, and Bobby D’s in Deale, MD.  Prior to his full retirement in 2014, Bob created the restaurant management recruiting company Bob’s Jobs 4 U,  and also worked for the General Wiping Company in Baltimore, MD.

Robert Stephen Durbin is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Charles Jr. and Michael Durbin, and his first wife, Michele. He leaves behind an undeniable legacy, including his four children, Sean (Sarah), Dawn (Ron), Kyle (Joanna), and Danielle Spaeth (Brandon). His loving grandchildren, the pride and joy of his world, include Jackson and Max; Griffin, Tyson, and Grayson; Harrison and Penelope; Trenton and Wyatt. His wife of 38 years, Pam, was, is, and will forever be, the love of his life.