LTC Robert Victor "Vic" Southern, US Army (Ret.), 66, of Hampton, Virginia passed away on May 28, 2022 after a long period of heart health, and several hospital stays this past year. Vic died doing what he loved- living life to the fullest with an old friend.  He even danced with his daughter at her wedding last month- out of the hospital against medical advice at 2:00, walking down the aisle at 4:00 (pretending to use a cane at daughters' request) that same day.  Vic bought Memorial Day plane tickets for yet another adventure in Costa Rica after checking out of the hospital a few days ago. If you saw Vic recently, he was probably wearing his Hawaiian shirt with a passport sticking out of his pocket, telling you a story. He proudly served over 22 years in the US Army. If you'd like to hear more of his life stories, check out his Facebook page for excerpts from his memoir.

LTC Southern was born on November 20, 1955 in Spartanburg, SC. He moved to Hampton in 1966, where he joined the Army.  From there, he served our country from all over the world for 21 years. He truly believed in the greatness of our country and had responsibilities to make the world a better place. Wherever Vic was, there was a celebration, and wherever there was a celebration, there was Vic. He will leave his imprint on the hearts and lives of many, as well as stories that echo his sense of adventure and love for life.

It's such a challenge to condense our father's stories into a few short paragraphs. Every event has a twist and sends sparks to ignite yet another wild tale. He will be remembered for so much. "Chez Robert" had mastered the recipes for German chocolate cake, ANY seafood (especially scallops & oysters), pecan pie, popcorn, and his specialty, "crab snacks." He had the grill burn marks to prove it. He once showed up at his granddaughter's 3rd birthday party with oysters and was truly offended that none of her tot friends ate any. My sister and I were delighted, because that meant we got to eat them all. If you'd ever been to one of Vic's Christmas parties, you know that food was one of his love languages.

Nov. 20, 1955: Born in Spartanburg, SC

1960: Got caught stealing a watermelon from his neighbor's garden because he left the knife and salt shaker behind

1966: Moved to Hampton, Virginia

1973: named "Mr. Santa Claus" at Pembroke High School for raising the most money for needy children

1974-75: Enlisted in the U.S. Army & basic Training in Ft. Knox, KY

1975: MP Training in Ft. Gordon, GA (1 ½ hours from SC family that he visited for home cooked meals)

1975: MP at Ft. Monroe, VA (where he saw the ghost of Ft. Monroe)

1976-77: Served in 165 MP company at Fischbach ("The Bach") in Germany

1977: Honorable discharge from Army to attend Christopher Newport College, where he met his future wife and then graduated with a B.S. in Govt. Admin.

1981: Married to Jeanneane Southern

1981-1984: Nike-Hercules Air Defense Battery in  Germany

1985: birth of first daughter, Collette at Ft. McClellan, AL & Military Police Officer Basic training

1989-1992: Border Patrol at Joint Task Force 6, Ft. Bliss, TX

1991: birth of twin daughters, Candace and Chrystal (dec.)

1992-1995: Asst. Officer in Charge of MPs at Ft. Shafter, HI

1996-1997: Ft. Leavenworth, KS

1998-2001: Provost Marshal, Chief of Police, Director of Plans & Operations, US Army Ft. Monroe, Va

2001-2011: Continues to serve in various Military Analyst positions

2011: Attended oldest daughter's wedding

April 30, 2022: attended youngest daughter's wedding

May 23, 2022: Discharged from hospital

May 28, 2022: Died having fun with a friend, 2 days before his planned excursion to Costa Rica

LTC Southern was preceded in death by his father, Frank T. Southern; his mother, Shirley P. Southern; his sister, Darla J. Southern; his daughter, Chrystal Danielle Southern. He is survived by his adult children and their spouses, Collette and Matthew Bahn, and Candace and Charlie Childers; his grandchildren, Addison and Oliver Bahn; his brother and his wife, Michael and Mary Southern; his sister, Denise Huskey. Also, many nieces and nephews and their families, including Jennifer and Justin Tonetti, Sherry and Justin Kane, Vicky Huskey and Noah Emerson, Rachel Huskey, Cameron Cruz, and Lauren Cruz. In addition to family, Vic leaves behind many dear friends from the U.S. Army, downtown Hampton, and the Hampton Regatta Cup (boat races)

The family will receive friends at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home on Sunday, June 5, 5-6:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 6 at noon at the funeral home, followed by interment with military honors at Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton Section.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Toys for Tots. Our father had a passion for providing for those less fortunate, especially for children at Christmastime.