Col. Robert Walter Trost III, U.S. Army (Ret), 60, of Frederick, loving husband, wonderful father, and loyal friend, died on Wednesday, January 2, 2013. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, on January 28, 1952, he was the son of Col. Robert W. Trost, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret), of Ashville, NC, and the late Edith Vanderbilt Trost. Bob is survived by his wife, Sue Gough, and his two daughters, Erin A. Trost and Caitlin L. Trost, both of Ashburn, VA; one brother, Scott Trost and wife Carolyn, of Woodbridge, VA; one sister, Barbara Woodward and husband Henry, of North Eastham, MA; and several nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by his stepmother, Betsy Trost and the mother of his children, Carol Dodd Trost. Bob will also be sorely missed by his best friends Harry Avila and Mo Smith, as well as the members of the Fairfax Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, the Zombie Coffee Club, and those who served so proudly beside him. During Bob's 26 years of service as an Infantryman and Special Operations officer, he was stationed in Germany, New York, Fort Bragg, NC, and the Pentagon, and graduated from the National War College. The many accolades he received included the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with one bronze service star. After retiring from active service, Bob continued to serve his country by working as a Federal civilian employee of the Department of Defense. Bob will be remembered for his wit and humor, warmth of spirit, service to the community, and love of bacon. He was a true soldier and friend, a man of the highest integrity who was always willing to help a fellow human being, especially those who might be feeling down and lonely. His friends often commented on how he emanated light, love and warmth, and was so selfless and giving to others. He always had a smile, a twinkle in his eye, an encouraging word, and a joke suitable for the occasion. A child of the 50s and 60s, he loved music, and was known for leading rousing choruses of Bohemian Rhapsody. His excitement and enthusiasm for life was unbounded. Bob loved the adventure and camaraderie of riding his motorcycle, and hated "effing @ondays". He had a positive effect on many people who feel blessed to have known him, even if only as their spirited and philosophical "Bearista". A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, January 10, 2013, at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, in Annandale, VA. Interment with full military honors will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myers, VA. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in his memory to the Lung Cancer Alliance (www.lungcanceralliance.org) or the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (www.specialops.org). Arrangements are with the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick, MD. Online condolences may be shared at keeneybasford.com.
