Robert L. Marko

Aviation Boatswain's Mate Senior Chief Robert Lee Marko (ret.) died in his home on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 in Orange Park, Fla., due to complications following lung cancer. He was 71.
ABHCS Marko was born Jan. 1, 1946, in Chicago to Robert and Thomasine Wright, later taking the surname of his respected stepfather Al Marko. He joined the United States Navy in 1963 at 17. His distinguished career as an aviation boatswain's mate spanned 20 years and included leadership positions on USS AMERICA (CVA-66), USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43), USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA-42), USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA-3) and 2 tours in Vietnam as a PBR boat captain resulting in being awarded a Bronze Star with a Combat V.
Bob's maritime interests continued after his naval service and compelled him to obtain certifications as a dive master and scuba diving instructor and to own his own scuba diving school, allowing him to further advance his love of underwater photography.
He is survived by his wife Kathryn Westfall Marko (daughter of Jack & Dot Westfall), daughter Melanie Marko, grandchildren Nicholas and Michael, sister Michele Odachowski, aunt Patricia Stejskal, nephews Matthew McKenna, Warren McKenna and Matthew Dul, niece Amber Burnett, great-nephews Kyle McKenna and Ryan McKenna, and great-nieces Jordan Burnett, Madeline McKenna and Annabelle McKenna. He is preceded in death by his mother Tommie Jason, stepfather Al Marko and sister Pamela McKenna.
A service was held at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home on Dec. 9, 2017. Internment was at Arlington National Cemetery on Jan. 11, 2018.