This is the Southern Command Network

*** My friend, Bob Young, passed away on Saturday. He was the Deputy Commander of the Naval Media Center, a friend, a father, a brother, and a husband.

This is from Gordon Hume, currently the CO at NMC:

Naval Media Center Team, Shipmates and Friends,

It is with great sadness that I report to you that our Deputy and Shipmate, Mr. Robert C. Young, lost his battle with cancer this morning, Saturday, June 30 2007. Final arrangements are pending, but we expect the funeral to be held on Friday evening, 6 July, in Frederick, Maryland. We will get full details out as soon as they are available.

After a full career in the active duty Army as a broadcast engineer, Bob came to a then, fledgling Navy Broadcasting Service in 1986. He managed the engineering operations of 20 broadcast detachments worldwide and oversaw the rapid deployment of mobile broadcast detachments to Saudi Arabia to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and later to Haiti and Somalia.

As Associate Director for Engineering, Bob revolutionized Navy shipboard life by bringing live satellite radio and television to ships on every ocean. That single accomplishment, four years in the making, immeasurably improved the quality of life for Sailors at sea and took every ounce of cutting edge engineering expertise, contracting persistence and political diplomacy that he could muster. It has been rumored that when word of the innovation reached the fleet his telephone rang off the hook and Admirals changed their schedules to meet with him.

Over the past several years, Bob has been Deputy Commander of Naval Media Center. As the continuity and corporate memory here at NMC, Bob is largely responsible for solid foundation upon which we have built the outstanding reputation for quality and mission accomplishment that NMC enjoys around the Fleet and among the services.

But Bob was much more than just a great engineer and Deputy, he was a trusted confidant, valued advisor and above all, a great friend. He will truly be missed.

I am profoundly grateful for having had the opportunity to serve with Bob, a man who not only served our great Nation with honor for over 40 years, but one who has left an indelible stamp on the Naval Media Center and on the lives of literally millions of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, their families and countless others that continue to serve.

Please keep his wife Allie and his entire family in your thoughts and prayers.

CAPT Gordon Hume, USN
Commanding Officer, Naval Media Center
Assistant Chief of Information, Internal Information (OI-4)

Return to home page

790 Pacific/91.5, 1420/98.3 Atlantic Channels 8 and 10

Building 209 Fort Clayton