Chief Robert “Rick” McAbee, died Monday, June 3, 2013 in Virginia Beach Virginia. Rick was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1970. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1993 as a Hospital Corpsman and upon completing training, reported to Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia. He transferred to the Navy’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal EOD community in 2003.Rick served two tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom, a tour in Navy Region Southeast, and had returned home from a six month deployment to Bahrain attached to Task Group 56.1. Rick has earned several personal awards for his dedication and service. Rick has honorably served his nation for 19 years, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Rick is survived by his wife Melissa, two sons Braeden and Asher, his father Ronald, and sister Penelope. A visitation will be held from 11:00 -1:00 on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, Virginia, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Interment to be held at Arlington National Cemetery. If desired, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org, EOD Warrior Foundation, www.eodwarriorfoundation.org, or the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
6/20/2013
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The news of Rick’s death hit me hard…I had known Rick since 2007 and we were roommates for two years. He introduced me to my husband! I adored Rick like a brother…he was so helpful around the house….I couldn’t have asked for a better roommate. He was one of the kindest men…he will be missed. I hope his boys grow up knowing what a fine man their dad was.