News Summary
Dr. Robert Arthur Vaul, Jr., a respected military veteran and civil servant, has passed away following a battle with cancer and heart failure. He dedicated much of his life to military service and civil service, earning numerous accolades throughout his career. He is remembered for his leadership and contributions, as well as his loving family. A graveside service is scheduled for October 13 at Williamsburg Memorial Park.
Williamsburg, Virginia – Dr. Robert Arthur Vaul, Jr. Passes Away After Battling Cancer and Heart Failure
Dr. Robert Arthur Vaul, Jr., a distinguished military veteran and civil servant, passed away on October 5, 2025, after a courageous year-long struggle with bladder cancer and advanced heart failure. He was 71 years old.
Born on June 27, 1954, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Robert was the son of CW3 Robert Arthur Vaul and Shirley Jean Millican Vaul. His upbringing in a military family afforded him extensive travel, leading him to attend schools in states including Kentucky, California, Illinois, Virginia, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Texas. Throughout his life, Robert visited forty-nine states, only missing Hawaii.
Robert completed his high school education at LaPorte High School in LaPorte, Texas, graduating in 1972. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and achieved the rank of sergeant. While stationed at Carswell Air Force Base (AFB), he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the University of Texas at Arlington. He also attended postgraduate classes at Rice University before being commissioned as a 2LT in the Army. His military service included deployments to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Turkey, where he honed his leadership skills.
Robert met his future wife, Jeanne Bost, during his time at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, after a humorous disagreement concerning a parking spot led to their introduction. The couple married on December 21, 1980, at Cameron Baptist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma. After marriage, they moved to Germany, where Robert served with the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Baumholder and Bad Kreuznach. Following his service abroad, they settled in Newport News, Virginia, where Robert transitioned to the Army Reserves and eventually retired at the rank of major.
In September 1989, Robert began his civil service career at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he worked with the Army Training Support Center, contributing to the instrumentation for national training centers located in Louisiana, California, and Germany. He spent ten years stationed at Fort Monroe before relocating to Arlington, Virginia, in 2008 to further his career while becoming a geographical bachelor.
During his tenure in civil service, Robert held various positions, ultimately advancing to G1 at the Headquarters US Army. He emerged as an Army subject matter expert in Lean Six Sigma, achieving the prestigious rank of Master Black Belt. He retired from civil service in December 2018 as a GS15 after a remarkable career. Additionally, Robert was a graduate of the Army War College in 1999 at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and held a Master of Public Administration degree from American University in Washington, D.C., where he participated in the Key Executive Program. He also obtained a PhD in public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Robert is survived by his wife, Jeanne Vaul, and his former sister-in-law, Kay Vaul Thompson, of Cypress, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Scott. His family has expressed their gratitude to the nurses and staff of 3N, 4N, and ICU at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, as well as their primary care physician, Dr. Michael Javernick, and Traditions Hospice nurses Angy, Laura, and Sesly for their compassionate care.
A graveside service for Dr. Robert Arthur Vaul, Jr. is scheduled for October 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Williamsburg Memorial Park, next to the columbarium. Arrangements for the service are being handled by Bucktrout Funeral Home of Williamsburg, Virginia.
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- WYDaily: Dr. Robert Arthur Vaul, Jr. Obituary
- Wikipedia: Bladder Cancer
- WAVY: Dr. Robert Arthur Vaul, Jr. Passes
- Google Search: Obituaries in Williamsburg Virginia
- Daily Press: Dr. Robert Vaul Obituary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: United States Air Force
- City of Williamsburg Official Website
- Google News: Virginia Health News
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
