Col. Robert Thomas Durbin Jr., 62

Published 4:49 pm Saturday, January 11, 2020

Col. Robert Thomas Durbin, Jr., 62, of Frederick, Maryland, passed away at home on December 18, 2019 surrounded by family, after a 2-year struggle with cancer. He was the loving husband of Peggy Durbin, his wife of 36 years.

Born in Winchester, KY, Robert was the son of the late Robert T., Sr. and Irene Taulbee Durbin. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, where he was also an ROTC cadet. He received his commission as a 2nd Lt. and was stationed in Germany for six years. He served during Desert Storm as an Armor and Calvary officer. He also attended the Army War College in Carlisle, PA, where he earned a master’s degree. After transferring to the Army Reserve, Col. Durbin earned another master’s degree in computer science from the University of Maryland and another bachelor’s degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He worked as a software engineer at Globecomm for many years, and was an avid golfer and Steelers fan.

In addition to his loving wife, Peggy, Col. Durbin is survived by two daughters, Emily Durbin of Los Angeles, CA and Elizabeth Durbin of Baltimore, MD; sister, Teresa Payne of GA; and multiple aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

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A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 11th at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 8428 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation (garysinisefoundation.org) or Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702.