Bobby McRill - Online Memorial Website

I was fortunate to have worked with Bobby at the Visual Support Center, NAS Oceana for approximatelly six months. I was the  TARPS (Tactical Airborne Reconnisance Pod Sytem) Work Center Supervisor, responsible for supporting the F-14 Tomcat squadrons with the processing of their aerial film; maintining the EH-38's with the NEC 8133.

Over a period of some time, once I had a chance to know Bobby and what he was about; I affectonately tagged him with a nickname of "Biggin". This was due in part

to his physical stature in comparison to my own, but later it was more of a reflection of his character. To me, Bobby was a perfectionist and could always be counted on to always do the "right-thing". I can hear him now "I understand that, but it has to be done right!"

A few years later, I ran into Bobby along the waterfront a couple. At the time we both were First Class Petty Officers, he on the Roosevelt and I on the Truman. We took care of each other a couple times with material needs like chemistry, paper etc.

I reported to COMCAM in August of 06, I met up with Bobby again. I departed for deployment in September and return in March of this year. A few days before Bobby was preparing to detach from the Command in April, he stopped me and asked a question "Chief, do you miss TARPS?" he added "I miss it some times"

I reminded him of the IG Certification for the 38's, when he got upset that his machine missed the mean line by .02 when we were allowed up to a tolerance of.07. Always the perfectionist. Additionally, when he got bored, he would take things apart just so he could put them back together again. We laughed.

Yes "Biggin", somtimes I miss TARPS, but now I am always going to miss you.

I served with Bobby on USS Roosevelt (CVN 71) from 1996 through 1999.  I will always remember Bobby as a dedicated sailor and someone who was always quick with a smile.  He truly was one of the people who made it easier for me to come to work each day and he certainly made a six month deployment easier. 

After the Roosevelt I moved onto other assignments, as did he.  I was stationed on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) later on and saw him there while he was helping cover a Change of Command Ceremony.  It was like we had never missed a beat.  We chatted momentarily and spent most of our time talking about our families and family was always something that Bobby could talk about for hours.  He certainly loved his wife and children and they always filled his thoughts and his heart.   I really feel like his dedication to his service and his country was as much for them as it was for him. 

I will sincerely miss Bobby and I personally will NEVER forget him and will make sure that his memory lives on, especially among all us legacy PH's and current MC's.