Robert Ossman Obituary

PORTSMOUTH—Robert Spottswood Brooke Ossman, “Bob”, died peacefully on July 28, 2025, in Suffolk, VA. He was 94 years old. Born on June 1, 1931, in New York City, he was the youngest of three children of the late Carter Brooke Ossman and The Rev. Dr. George Ossman. The family moved to Richmond, VA when he was a month old. He went through elementary, middle, and high school in Richmond and graduated from the University of Richmond in 1954 with a degree in Psychology. He went to work for the C & P Telephone Company.

Bob married the love of his life, Frances “Fran” Louise Dinwiddie, on July 7, 1956. Bob’s career with C & P involved many moves around Virginia. Bob and Fran were blessed with two children, Robert Spottswood Brooke, Ossman, Jr. (predeceased) and Sarah Ossman Gallagher. They enjoyed as a family many happy hours on the water boating, swimming, fishing, and water-skiing. Bob always made time for annual family vacations. In 1978, the family moved to New Jersey when he took a position with AT&T. When AT&T split, he decided to retire in 1984, and the family moved back to Bob and Fran’s dream home on the water in Portsmouth, VA. Bob enjoyed his final ten years of work as the Executive Director of the Portsmouth Chapter of the American Red Cross, retiring for good in 1996.

Bob’s deep faith and strong desire to serve his community was evident in every place he lived. He served as Senior Warden twice, Superintendent of Sunday Schools, was on the Endowment Committee, was a Lay Eucharistic Minister, and a Trustee at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, VA. Bob was an active member for approximately 40 years and served as President of the Downtown Portsmouth Rotary Club in 1989. He was chair of the Paint Your Heart Out Committee for many years and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Bob was on the Board of Trustees for Christopher Academy (formerly St. Christopher’s School) in Portsmouth, VA for 17 years, and was the Board Chair from 2003-2005. He was also an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Bob’s community service did not go unnoticed. On May 16, 1996, Portsmouth Mayor Gloria Webb declared the day as “Bob Ossman Day”.

Bob and Fran moved to Lake Prince Woods in Suffolk, VA in 2017. There, Bob became active at St. Paul’s Church as a Lay Reader and continued with Meals on Wheels. He got involved in his new Lake Prince community by acting as the Welcome Committee Chair and Volunteer Hours monitor.

Bob was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, neighbor, and community member. He will be deeply missed. Bob is survived by his wife Fran Ossman, daughter Sarah Gallagher, son-in-law Peter Gallagher, granddaughter Katherine Gallagher, daughter-in-law Lolly Ossman, nephew George “Chip” Ossman, Jr. (wife J.R.), niece Eleanor Oliver (husband Kevin), and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Lake Prince Woods, 100 Anna Goode Way, Suffolk, VA 23434 in the Portsmouth Center. A reception will immediately follow in the Lobby. A graveside service will be held later at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at Brook Hill in Richmond, VA.

The family extends its deepest appreciation to all the staff at Lake Prince Woods, especially skilled nursing, the therapy department, and social services.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob’s memory to the American Red Cross or the Elizabeth River Project. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.