Robert Floyd Fye

Robert Floyd Fye of Middletown, Rhode Island, died peacefully on February 25, 2026. He was a devoted husband, father, officer, and gentleman whose life was defined by his love of the sea and a strong commitment to service.

Born in Washington, DC on December 27, 1948, to David L. Fye, a WWII naval veteran, and Beatrice A. Mugar, an artist, Bob was raised in Wayland, MA. Growing up, he developed a love of the outdoors and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, continuing a family tradition shared by his father, brother, and later his two sons. In his youth, Bob enjoyed constructing large model airplanes and building motorized go-karts. His natural curiosity for how things work led him to study electrical engineering at Tufts University on an NROTC scholarship.

Following graduation in 1970, Bob had the good fortune to be stationed in Newport at the start of his naval career. As a surface warfare officer, he was first assigned to the USS Mount Whitney and then the USS William R. Rush. Aboard the latter, he served as navigator on its seven-month circumnavigation via the Cape of Good Hope and piloted her with a steady hand through the Strait of Malacca and the Panama Canal. The voyage took him to twenty-two foreign ports, an experience that yielded stories he would recount for years to come. Ashore, Bob greatly enjoyed instructing seamanship, navigation, and naval operations to U.S. and international students at the Navy Officer Candidate School.

By 1976, having fallen in love with Newport, Bob bought an old colonial near the ocean and transitioned from active duty to the U.S. Naval Reserve. His reserve assignments included the USS Newman K. Perry, the Military Sealift Command Office in Newfoundland, and the U.S. Naval War College Voluntary Training Unit where he contributed to strategic war-gaming. He retired with the rank of Commander.

Following early work on submarine defense systems, Bob went on to forge a distinguished career in the rapidly developing field of information engineering. A skilled data systems architect, he led large teams of engineers and computer scientists on complex IT projects for federal and state government agencies.

Beyond his naval and civilian careers, Bob was deeply committed to his church. A faithful parishioner of St. Columba's, the Berkeley Memorial Chapel, Bob gave generously of his time and expertise serving on the Buildings and Grounds Committee and over the years as Treasurer, Senior Warden, and Churchyard Committee Chair. He also served as Treasurer for St. Columba's Historic Preservation Trust and as an elected member of the Executive Committee for the Diocesan Council at the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island.

Above all, Bob's family was his greatest pride and joy. A loving husband and father, he was always at the ready with a big smile, a bear hug, and a dad joke. Intent on instilling in his children a sense of honor and work ethic, he would often remind them "Be good and true!" and "Pluck makes luck!"

After family, Bob's greatest joys were sailing and the sea. A perfect day was one spent on the water with family and friends cruising the coastal shores of southern New England, exploring its harbors and islands. Over some fifty years, Bob owned seven small sailboats. The first was a classic 39' wooden beauty, an R-boat which helped him win the heart of Mary-Louise, the love of his life. This was followed by their beloved Morgan and most recently a Beneteau Oceanis, both fittingly named Perseverance. 

Family, friends, and colleagues will miss and long remember Bob's warmth, wit, and wise counsel. A mentor to many, he was a man of uncommon character who believed the best in people. Through all the years, Bob charted a life of service and integrity, and of adventures, large and small.

Fair winds and following seas, Commander.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Mary-Louise S. Howard Fye, their children Dr. Alexander S. M. Fye and Jessica M. Fye; her husband William N. Hubbard IV; three grandchildren; his sister Pamela F. Mauer; his brother, Donald M. Fye and wife Kaia; and his nieces and nephew. He was predeceased by his son Robert S. H. Fye, who died of cancer in 2008.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude's Hospital, St. Columba's Chapel Historic Preservation Trust, or Sail to Prevail.

A memorial service celebrating Bob's life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at St. Columba's Berkeley Memorial Chapel, 55 Vaucluse Ave, Middletown, RI.

For further information, please contact the Memorial Funeral Home, www.memorialfuneralhome.com