Robert Syme Jr., M.D.

Robert Haldane Syme, Jr. M.D. December 17, 1921-June 8, 2009 DOCTOR ROBERT HALDANE SYME, JR., age 87 of Alexandria, Virginia passed away peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2009 at Alexandria Hospital where he practiced for 44 years. He was born December 17, 1921 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the beloved son of the late Robert Haldane Syme and Janet McKinley Love. He graduated from the University of Wyoming and George Washington University Medical School. He met and later married Suzanne Burgess in 1946 while attending medical school. They had one son, Robert Haldane Syme III. Dr. Syme enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served 2 ' years in San Angelo, Texas. In 1953, he moved to Virginia and one year later opened his own OB-GYN practice. After 44 years of practicing medicine and having delivered over 6,000 babies, he retired in 1997. He loved welcoming new life into this world. Bob was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many church positions throughout his lifetime. While serving in the Washington DC Temple, he met Suzi Darden Arnold. They married on February 14, 1995 and continued to serve in the Temple until his death. One of his greatest joys was his labor of love as Bishop of the Colonial Ward in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2001, at age 79 he was called with his wife, Suzi as an LDS Medical missionary in Ukraine for 18 months. Bob was a gentle and kind man who loved being surrounded by family and friends. He will be deeply missed. He is preceded in death by his wife Suzanne Burgess Syme and two sisters Janet Louise Hoffman and Margaret Evelyn Johnson. Survivors include his wife Suzi Syme, Alexandria, VA; his son Robert Haldane Syme III, Virginia Beach, VA; and his two stepchildren Vicki Lee Vargason and Hugh Leon Arnold, Boise, ID. The family will greet friends from 11:00 to 11:45 AM on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at the Mount Vernon Virginia Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6219 Villa Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22310 where funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon Wednesday. Everyone is welcome to join us to celebrate Bob's life. Interment will be at The Darden Family Cemetery in Mapleton, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Above named church, c/o Bishop Herbert Riggs, 3232 South 28th Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. Arrangements by Pierce Funeral Home, Manassas, Virginia. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com.

Robert Syme Jr., M.D.

December 17, 1921 - June 8, 2009