Henry Norman “Butch” Robey, Jr.

November 7, 1950 - June 22, 2021
Henry Norman “Butch” Robey, Jr.

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Henry Norman Robey, Jr., “Butch”, age 70, of Leland, NC, beloved husband and father, passed away surrounded by family on June 22, 2021.

Butch was born in Baltimore, MD. He grew up with a family that loved to laugh, a trait that he would carry his whole life and later instill in his own children.

Butch attended Johns Hopkins University where he graduated with a B.S. in electrical engineering. A scholar athlete, he was a lettered varsity running back for the Blue Jays football team where he was recognized for his ability, leadership, and team loyalty, winning the MAC South co-championship in 1969. He was the co-captain his senior year with his lifelong friend Eric. Butch would continue to play football after his college career for the semi-pro Baltimore Eagles where he met lifelong friend Denny.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1972, Butch started his marine engineering career with the Naval Ship Research and Development Center in Annapolis, Maryland. Shortly after joining the US Navy civil service, he spent his days working at the NSRDC and nights earning a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He was an expert in electric propulsion and integrated power system design and analysis along with enabling advanced technology such as power electronics and superconducting machinery. At the end of his Navy career, Butch was Chief Scientist for the Advanced Surface Machinery Program and Director of the Electrical Systems Division. Butch started a second career in the private sector with a number of marine engineering colleagues from the Navy. He continued to publish papers and maintain his expertise in marine power and propulsion systems and additionally applied his expertise to land-based systems such as wind power generation and a DC micro-grid in Hawaii. He remained valuable to the Navy and was consulting on a new destroyer design at the time of his passing.

Butch was a devoted husband and father. He married the love of his life, Darlene, on August 19, 1978. They were blessed with two wonderful children Katie and Brandon, who were the lights of his life. After living in Maryland for many years, Butch and Darlene retired to the Wilmington, NC area to enjoy coastal life.

Butch loved spending time with his dogs, tailgating and attending Navy Football games, floating in his pool, history, reading, solving puzzles, beach vacations, family trips to Disney World, monster and sci-fi movies, the Beatles, Mel Brooks, and anything that made him laugh. He loved good food, good friends, and good beer.

Above all else, Butch was happiest spending time with his family, whether it was a vacation, a game night, family dinner, or sitting down together to watch movies.

In addition to his wife Darlene, daughter Katie, son Brandon, daughter-in-love Cori, and midshipman sponsor son Tigger, Butch is survived by sisters Linda and Judy, brother John and family, brother-in-law Guy and his wife Robin, nephews Jake and Grant, and brother-in-law Jeff and family.

A Memorial Service will be conducted at 2:00pm on Thursday, July 8th, at St. Andrew’s On-the-Sound Episcopal Church in Wilmington, NC.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations are requested for Johns Hopkins’ Blue Jays Unlimited Student-Athlete Fund at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/bju. Follow the link and designate your donation to the “BJU-Student-Athlete Fund”. This is a fund close to Butch’s heart as a recipient of student athlete financial aid which allowed him to attend JHU.

Additionally, Memorial Donations can be made to St. Andrew’s On-The-Sound Episcopal Church by clicking on the donate button at the bottom of the church’s webpage: https://standrewsonthesound.com.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Post a Condolence” tab below.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S.41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. 910.791.9099.


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  • July 06, 2021
    Gary Handleman and Donna Lobos says:
    Our condolences go out to Butch's family. We are so sorry to learn of his passing. What a warm, kind, friendly person he was. We know that he will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. Dar,our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  • July 08, 2021
    Bob Dear says:
    Butch was a great friend and teammate. He was one of the nicest people I have ever met. I was blessed to have known him and he has left a legacy to all. May God bless you and comfort you during this difficult time. He will be remembered often and fondly. Bob Dear

  • July 11, 2021
    Denny Dear says:
    There will never be another Butch Robey! He was one in a million. He was a great teammate and better friend. Peg and my memories of him: Navy football and tailgating, swimming in the Severna Park and Leland pools, meals and cold beer and yes, the laughter. Butch loved to laugh! Words can’t describe how much he will be missed and loved by Peg and me. Butch, may you R.I.P. and God bless you and your wonderful family.