Commander Robert Paul Vallee, USN Retired, passed away on July 24, 2021 in Oak Harbor, Wash.

Mr. Vallee was born on Dec. 12, 1936, to Alfred and Loretta Vallee in Northbridge, Mass. After graduating from high school in Northbridge Robert enlisted in the United States Navy and continued his education at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, graduating with a B.A. in government in 1959. He was honorably discharged as a Navy Reservist in 1960 and immediately accepted a commission as an officer in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Florida, Iceland, Texas, Spain, California, Massachusetts, Illinois and Pennsylvania throughout his career, with his final command as executive officer, Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts. While stationed in Iceland, he met his wife Margaret McDonald Clark and they were married on March 29, 1962 in Corpus Chrisiti, Texas. Together they lived in Spain and traveled extensively throughout Europe, later settling between Massachussets and Pennsylvania to raise a family. Their son Andrew Vallee was born on Sept. 20, 1971. Cmdr. Vallee retired from the United States Navy in 1983 decorated with the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the National Defense Medal. His retirement ceremony was held on the USS Constitution.

After his retirement Robert and Margaret settled on Whidbey Island, Wash. Post-retirement he worked for the Head Start program, advocating for at-risk children and their families. When his son Andrew left for college, Robert and Margaret opened their home to several foster children. An avid fly fisherman and outdoorsman, Robert enjoyed the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and frequently traveled with his family to Montana and Idaho on camping and fly fishing adventures. He fondly recounted camping on the Lochsa River, Idaho with Margaret and traveling frequently to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.

Robert and Margaret were married for 56 years until Margaret passed away in 2018. Robert loved to travel, and, in his last years, he returned to Iceland, where he and Margaret met, visited his brother and family in Massachusetts, and went fly fishing in Montana.

He is survived by his son Andrew Vallee; daughter-in-law Andrea Vallee; granddaughters Genevieve and Marguerite Vallee; brother Donald Vallee; sister-in-law Jean Vallee; nephew Paul Vallee; niece Sherrie Vallee Gianetti; nephew John Vallee; sister-in-law Paula Richard; niece Laura Richard; and nephew Russell Richard. He is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Loretta Vallee; wife Margaret Vallee; brother-in-law Ron Richard; and great-nephew Michael Gianetti. His family will gather in the fall to spread his ashes at Rosario Beach, Wash.