Robert Allen Gray, Sr. - Obituary

obert A. Gray, Sr., 83, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025, in Annapolis, Maryland. “Bob,” as he was known by family and friends, was a Maryland resident until 2006 when he retired to Northwestern Florida, and then returned to Maryland in September 2024. Bob was born on June 10, 1942 to James A. Gray, Sr. and Ellen G. Gray (nee Shurtleff) of Hyattsville, Maryland. A graduate of Northwestern High School’s Class of 1960, he worked for Giant Foods before becoming a skilled tower crane operator and International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local #77 member for 20 years. He also taught at IUOE’s Joint Apprentice Training Center in Accokeek, MD. Two decades later, he acquired a new set of skills and became an HVAC specialist at the U.S. Department of Interior in Washington, D.C. from which he retired with nearly 21 years of service (2006). Bob was a people person who loved conversation and making others laugh. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, waterskiing, and nature, in general—particularly exotic birds. Living near the Chesapeake Bay, he spent countless hours boating, waterskiing and hanging out with his family and friends on the Rhode and West Rivers. Additionally, he had a passion for bluegrass music and was a determined banjo student for about 30 years. He loved playing at local music “jams” with others who shared his enthusiasm. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his former wife of 44 years, Valerie J. Gray (nee Boteler) (2020); their son, Robert A. Gray, Jr. (2010); and Bob’s younger brother, Gary Gray (2007). He is survived by his daughter, Darlene Gray Kinstler, and son-in-law, Jay Kinstler, of Harwood, MD; and two grandchildren, Brad Kinstler (and wife, Morgan, and great-granddaughter Eleanor Grace) of Arnold, MD; and Nick Kinstler of Washington, D.C. He is also survived by two brothers, James A. Gray, Jr. (and wife, Neta) of Olney, MD; and Donald Gray (and wife, Bonnie) of Montgomery Village, MD; as well as nine beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial gathering will be held on October 23, 2025, between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bob’s name to either: • Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation (mailing address: Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122; online: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/, or by phone: 443-837-3385); or to • The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Attn: Membership Department, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403.