H. Robert “Bob” Borden

H. Robert “Bob” Borden, 96, of Winchester, Virginia, died peacefully on Monday, Dec. 7 at Westminster-Canterbury Shenandoah Valley. He is preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Mary Catherine “Cat” Borden on Jan. 1 of this year.

Surviving are his daughter, Betty Ann Sullivan (Gene), Reston, Virginia; sons, Bob Borden (Ingrid), Hartfield, Virginia; Michael Borden (Jay), San Francisco, California; daughter-in-law Ellen Sturtevant, Augusta, Maine; sister Helen Dillon, Westfield, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a son, Bill; brothers Paul, Dick and Don; and a grandson, Patrick Sullivan.

Mr. Borden was born on Aug. 18, 1919 and raised in Chevy Chase, D.C. He graduated from Western High School in D.C. and attended American and George Washington universities. He worked for the U.S. Navy Department at the Pearl Harbor Naval Ordnance Lab from 1943-1944.

While living in D.C. and Silver Spring, Maryland Bob had a varied career: from machinist, to Union Representative for the International Association of Machinists, to National Director of the Apprenticeship Information Centers (AIC) for the U.S. Department of Labor. He founded AIC programs in the 35 largest U.S. cities, successfully guiding minority and disadvantaged youths into apprenticeship programs.

Bob became capitvated with West Virginia while leading Explorer Scouts spelunking to Moler’s Cave and John Brown Caverns. Bob and Catherine moved to Shepherdstown in 1972. For his first few years there, Bob commuted to his work in downtown D.C. via Amtrak from Harpers Ferry in the years prior to MARC. Bob then began his favorite “job”: over 30 years as farmer and cattleman at Pack Horse Ford Farm.

He was an active member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, the Mens’ Club, the Sons of the Confederacy, the American Legion of Charles Town, the Shepherdstown Chamber of Commerce, the WV Cattleman’s Assn., and Bat Conservation International. He was a proud lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and the National Speleological Society.

Bob was an involved member of Alcoholics Anonymous since 1971. He was instrumental in initiating several chapters in the West Virginia Panhandle and providing assistance to many persons over the years.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10-11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Winchester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to a reception following the Mass at Westminster-Canterbury. Interment will be private.

Bob received such extraordinary care from the nurses and staff at Westminster Canterbury Shenandoah Valley that the family asks any donations be made to the SVWC Employee Emergency Fund, 300 Westminster-Canterbury Drive, Winchester, VA 22603.

Arrangements are by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.

Please sign the online guestbook and view his obituary at www.mtstrider.com.