Robert L. Halbrook, 94
EAST NEW MARKET - Robert L. Halbrook of East New Market, Maryland, passed away on November 9, 2023. Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 25, 1929, to Robert L. Halbrook, Sr. and Beatrice Belden Halbrook. He grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952-1954, Bob graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1956. His 50-year law career began in 1957 in Detroit, Michigan. In 1963, he moved his young family to Delaware as he joined the legal department of the DuPont Company. Bob's reputation and involvement in local and state government led to his appointment by Gov. Russell W. Peterson in 1969 as the executive director of the Task Force for Government Reorganization. Within a year, the cabinet form of government, which replaced the council form, was created and continues to the present day. Bob was appointed cabinet secretary of Community Affairs and Economic Development and served from 1970-1973.
In 1973, Bob joined Sussex County attorneys Houston Wilson and Eugene H. Bayard to form the Wilson, Halbrook & Bayard law firm. Bob had a widely varied law career, serving as Sussex County Bar president, Delaware State Bar vice president, and member of several Delaware Supreme Court committees. Bob retired from the firm in 1988. In addition to his legal career, Bob co-founded Delaware National Bank in 1979 and was vice chairman of its board of directors until 1999.
Bob loved watching sports, especially his beloved U. of Michigan Wolverines, and was an avid reader of history, science, and religion. His lifelong passion for politics led to his participation in campaigns at the national, state, and local levels. He closely followed current political events.
Bob is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Halbrook of Melbourne, Florida, and Kathryn Halbrook of San Rafael, California; grandson Samuel Weinstein of Oakland, California; brothers-in-law, David Dietze and William Peattie; stepdaughter, Pam Bauerlein (Mike) of Oro Valley, Arizona, and their children Savannah Bourlier (Jim), Ciara Bauerlein, and Jack Bauerlein, all of Tucson, Arizona. He is also survived by his special friend, Norma Conaway, of East New Market, Maryland. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Pamela Dietze; his former wife, Joyce Ford Halbrook; his brother, Gene Halbrook; and his sister, Ginny Peattie.
Bob is fondly remembered as a charming, friendly, optimistic person with a good sense of humor by those who know him as a lifelong family member or by those he met at a hair salon, or dentist or doctor's office. He will be deeply missed by all who cherished him.
At Bob's request, there will be no services. Arrangements are in the care of Thomas Funeral Home in Cambridge, Maryland. Donations can be made in Bob's memory to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (cbf.org).