Robert Judge Riley

Beloved and devoted husband of 50 years to Sandra Isabel Markarian, cherished father to Amy Judge (Mike) Johnson and Katherine Anoush Riley and greatly-loved grandfather "Pop-Pops" to Riley and Zachary Johnson and Sophia Isabel Riley-Burke passed away peacefully at the age of 79.

Left behind are his cherished nieces Carol Riley and Barbara Riley and her husband Julian Graubart and his sister-in-law Edie Morrison and many cousins. He was predeceased by his parents Wilfred Joseph Riley and Mary Veronica Judge, brother Wilfred Joseph Riley, Jr. and niece Elizabeth Riley Howe.

Robert was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 11, 1940. Throughout his young life, he resided in Missouri, Michigan and NYC. Robert graduated from New Hampton School in 1958 and from the University of Notre Dame in 1962. He earned his master's degree in English at Tufts University in 1969.

Robert met the love of his life, Sandra Markarian in Medford, MA. He was attending Tufts University and had rented a room from her aunt. Sandra went to visit her Aunt Siranoush, and it was love at first sight. They wed on June 18, 1969. They recently celebrated 50 years of marriage surrounded by close family and friends.

Robert had a real passion for travel and loved journeying to new lands where he could soak in the culture, scenery and enjoy the people. His love of exploration led him to work as an editor and newspaper reporter in NYC, Paris, London, Beirut and Honolulu.

Robert's teaching career began when he started teaching English at Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, NM, where Amy, his oldest daughter, was born. Then the family moved on to The Prairie School in Racine, WI. Following that, he worked at Newark Academy in Livingston, NJ as an English teacher and Department Chairman. Their daughter Katie was born in Dover, NJ. Robert was then hired to develop and establish the new Upper School English Department at The Potomac School in McLean, VA.

Robert was respected and loved by all that knew him and was endearingly called "Papa Bob" by some of his students.

Robert was more than a teacher; he was a master educator and unofficial life coach to many. He demanded excellence from his students, and there were no shortcuts allowed. He felt the writing process was a process of revision and not a quick leap to a final copy. Students knew he had an understated sense of humor, and he told them, "In order to understand the world around us, we must explore the 'promised land' inside ourselves." Robert always said "to live it up" in order to find joy.

Robert received countless letters from parents and past students thanking him for teaching them so much about writing. Some of his former students who were college freshman at the time of writing claimed they were miles ahead of the other kids in their English classes because of him.

One student wrote, "Thank you Mr. Riley for teaching us that books are beginnings, and youth is for discovering beauty and developing curiosity." Another said, "We will forever cherish your wisdom, your heart, your knowledge and your humor."

Robert also spent a year as a teacher in the Fulbright Hays teacher exchange program in Leicester, England with his family. He won grants for summer study at Princeton and overseas in Galway, Ireland. Robert also had a library dedicated to him at The Riversands Primary School in Johannesburg, South Africa.

After retiring, Robert and Sandra moved to Ashburn, VA to be closer to their daughters. The arrival of their grandsons, Riley Michael Johnson and Zachary Paul Johnson, and little Sophia Isabel Riley-Burke brought him endless joy. He loved being with them and brightened visibly if he heard he would be seeing them on any given day.

Robert courageously battled Parkinson's disease for 22 years with acceptance, dignity and grace with never a word of complaint. His gift to his family was his love for them, his steadfastness and his solid support and valuable advice in any situation. They could turn to him with no fear of judgment or criticism. He peacefully passed away in his sleep on March 7, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to help find a cure for Parkinson's disease at Michaeljfox.org or to the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for their help and kindness at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/ashburnfirerescue/

Church service and reception Will be held at 11am at Ashburn Presbyterian Church 20962 Ashburn Road Ashburn, VA