Master Sergeant Robert J. St. John passed away on June 25, 2020 in Zephyrhills, FL after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on October 16, 1965, at Sewart Air Force Base, Smyrna, Tennessee. He went on to live in Hampton, VA; Arlington, MA; back to Hampton, VA; Fort Walton Beach, FL; and Colorado Springs, CO where he enjoyed skiing: playing baseball and was on a swim team winning many ribbons. He moved to Nashua, NH in 1982.
He graduated from Nashua High School in 1983 and with his friend Mike Kaye worked siding houses. Rob was intrigued about skydiving and made his first jump on June 14, 1986 in Pepperell, MA. It was a thrill of a lifetime, becoming a passion and a profession for him. With skydiving for pleasure, as well as a tandem instructor and his jumps in the 82nd Air Borne and Special Forces (Air Borne), he enjoyed a little over 3,300 jumps.
He also became an accomplished guitar player and knew just about all the guitar work for the Led Zeppelin group. Over the years he composed music and wrote lyrics. He did not often show his sentimental side but felt comfortable expressing it in his music.
April 4, 1987 he was sworn into the Army by his father, Don Stewart, and left for Fort Benning, GA for basic training and then on to the 82nd Air Borne Infantry Division, Fort Bragg, NC.
He separated from the Army two years later and moved to Gulf Breeze, FL where he held various jobs including as a skydiving tandem instructor, construction, bartender and as a DJ. His friends at the Emerald Coast Skydiving Club enjoyed his shout outs to them, over the radio, “Blue Skies.” He also attended classes at the University of West Florida. He eventually earned an Associates Degree.
He was recalled into the Army in 1991 for Operation Desert Storm/Shield reporting to Fort Hood, Texas. He was about to be deployed to the Middle East when a cease fire was announced. From there he went to Fort Bragg, NC and attended the Special Forces Qualification Course (Q Course) graduating on October 23, 1992.
He returned to Gulf Breeze, FL and served in the Alabama Reserves. Rob was nominated Outstanding NCO (Non Commissioned Officer). He became Sniper Qualified at Fort Benning, GA, and was Special Forces Sniper of the year in distance. He was an ambidextrous shooter.
After 9/11/2001, he served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, WA, with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as operations in other countries.
He retired September 8, 2017 with 100% disability due to injuries sustained in combat and moved to Zephyrhills, FL.
He was an avid reader and had a wide interest in many subjects. He particularly enjoyed gardening and birding. He had a talent for attracting birds with a whistle to come and feed from his hand. He rescued a dog in Afghanistan, cleaned her, gave her shots and paid $2,500 to fly her to New York where Erik and Julie picked her up and brought her home. Old and arthritic, Carla is still with us.
His friends Mike and Timber said of him: He was quick of wit, intense, very funny and extremely intelligent.
He was honored to serve his country alongside the Best of The Best. He lived a full and adventurous life.
He was predeceased by his sister, Karen Elizabeth St. John; his stepsister, Laurel “Lele” Morris and his father, Don Stewart.
He is survived by his loving mother, Karen Stewart and his dear Aunt Liz Keul; his devoted brothers, Erik Stewart, his wife Julie and son Alex (Rob’s godson); and Jay St. John, his wife Jen, son Colby and daughter Gabby; his sister Lara Jensen, husband Erik and son Ethan; wonderful cousins Linda, Ashley, Erika and Luis; Terry, Erin, Shanna; stepsister Donna Stewart, long-time friends Alan Lindley, Luis Sierra, Greg Toop, Pete and Shanna Levinthal, their daughter Amara, and many others.
SERVICES: A walk-through visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020 from 2-4pm at Davis Funeral Home, One Lock Street in Nashua. Due to COVID restrictions all guests entering the funeral home will be required to wear face masks and follow social distancing. Graveside service with Military Honors will be Monday, July 27, 2020, 11am, at NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy in Boscawen, NH. Those attending should arrive at 10:45am. Masks are required.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 75817, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Wounded Warriors Project requested that it be noted donations are in honor of Master Sergeant Robert J. St. John. Donations may also be sent online at supportwwp.org/thankyou. An online guest book is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com, (603-883-3401) “ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER”.