Robert John Stegon

Lake Ridge resident Robert John Stegon, 77, died February 23, 2021, surrounded by family at his home following a 4-year battle with lung cancer. He was born September 22, 1943, in Braddock, Pa., the son of the late Andrew and Elizabeth Stegon, and raised in East Pittsburgh, Pa. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University, Robert worked 37 years with Westinghouse, beginning his career in commercial nuclear power. He was later transferred to Washington D.C. where he was a marketing manager for a California division later sold to Northrop Grumman, representing its interests with the United States Navy, in particular the nuclear propulsion equipment built to power Naval aircraft carriers and submarines. Robert married his wife Nancy on September 20, 1969 in State College, Pa. The two stayed married for more than 51 years. Throughout his life, Robert enjoyed playing and watching both baseball and golf, sailing his boat Fantasy in the Chesapeake Bay, and traveling, both in the United States and around the world. Robert was a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, attending games at Forbes Field from a young age with his dad and sisters and celebrating three World Series titles. He later attended four Pirates fantasy camps where fans spend a week playing against each other and former major league players. Robert coached youth baseball in Prince William County for more than 10 years, teaching the game he loved to dozens of children in the area. Following his retirement in 2008, Robert and Nancy traveled extensively including several trips to Europe. His favorite vacation was a cruise along the Mediterranean Sea. He also loved to captain his boat, spending the warmer months on the water with his wife, family, and friends on both day and overnight trips. After his cancer diagnosis, Robert served on the Patient and Family Advisory Council at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, a department of Fairfax Hospital. He created a form given to new patients aimed at improving communication between patients and cancer institute providers. Robert sung mass as a cantor at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in East Pittsburgh, Pa., for several years, starting at age 9. Throughout his life, he sang in several churches including Roman Catholic and Anglican parishes, along with Byzantine. In his final days, Robert expressed gratitude for what he described as a full life, filled with many blessings, loving relationships, and the opportunity to do the things he loved with those closest to him. Robert is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Marie and Dorothy, and brother Andrew. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Carolyn (Jason), of Laguna Beach, Calif., and David (Tracy), of Stafford, Va.; and grandchildren Sami, Nate, and Jack. A viewing for Robert will be held on March 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home in Woodbridge. Funeral services will be held March 10 at 10 a.m. at All-Saints Church in Woodbridge followed by internment at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington. The family will then host a lunch at the Harbour Grille in Woodbridge, starting around 2 p.m. In addition to flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. Out of caution for the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will offer an online viewing option for the funeral service for those who would prefer not to attend in person. We fully understand the current environment and respect everyone’s desire to be safe during this time.

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Robert John Stegon

February 23, 2021