Mr. Robert “Bobby” Stuart Nock, of Chincoteague Island, passed away on Nov. 20, 2023, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md.
Bobby, as he was affectionately known, was born in Newport News on May 6, 1942. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Etta Nock, and his parents, Nancy White Nock and Albert Thomas Nock.
Bobby grew up in Temperanceville before moving to Chincoteague Island with his family. He graduated from Chincoteague High School in 1960. After high school, he attended the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). He married Mary Etta Hill in 1961 and transferred from VMI to Virginia Polytechnical Institute, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in engineering. After graduating from Virginia Tech, he came home to Chincoteague, where he and Mary Etta spent their lives together.
Bobby worked for NASA Wallops Flight Facility as an aerospace engineer in the meteorology department, working in the balloon program for over three decades. His career with NASA carried him all over the world.
After Bobby retired from NASA, he opened “Bobby’s Music Shack” on Chincoteague, where he could share his passion and love of music with others. For over a decade, he bought musical instruments to sell at the shop, along with all the accessories one might need for any musical instrument. This was a way for him to invite other musicians into his shop to talk about music but also to sit down and make music together. Bobby was an amazing guitar enthusiast. He and his lifelong best friend, Jay Jeffries, shared their passion for music together, and the duo would play events all over.
Bobby’s surviving relatives include his sister, Donna Young (George); three sons, Wayne Nock, Johnny Nock, and Paul Nock; six grandchildren, Ashley Thornes (Paul), Jordan Nock, Oliva Lazen (Zachariah); Adam Stuart Nock (Kristen), Robert Gabriel Nock (Skylar), and Josh Jones (Kaitlyn); five great-granddaughters; Scarlett Thornes, Neko Nock, Raelynn Nock, Willow Jones, Mia Jones, and a newly expected arrival in 2024; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to all of his accomplishments, Bobby was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge and recently celebrated his 49th birthday with the fraternal order of Masons.
A viewing was held on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, from 1 to 2 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 1:30 p.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church on Chincoteague Island. Services will begin directly after the viewing at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help with final expenses.
Services were entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc. on Chincoteague Island. Condolences may be made online at www.salyerfh.com
