Robert Lee ("Bob") Gleason died of natural causes at his home in Springfield on March 18, 2018. Bob was born on September 9, 1933 to Irvine Larkin and Katherine Irvine Gleason in Low Moor, Virginia. He grew up on the R. P. Irvine farm and went to Central High School in Low Moor. Upon graduation from high school in 1951, Bob moved to Washington, D.C., where he went to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His distinguished career spanned forty-one years, culminating with his assignment as Section Chief of the Special Projects Section of the FBI Laboratory. In his early days with the Bureau, Bob supplemented his income by building custom fishing rods, which he marketed through a sporting goods store in Washington. The solid reputation of his products spread throughout the city, and eventually Bob was contacted by the White House with a request from President Dwight D. Eisenhower for a custom fly rod. Bob took the specifications, built the rod, and proudly delivered it to "Ike" at the reflecting pool opposite the Washington Monument, where he taught the President how to fly cast on the spot. Bob was married for sixty-three years to his childhood sweetheart, the late Carolyn Stiteler Gleason of Clifton Forge, Virginia, who passed away in 2016. They moved to Springfield in 1956, where they raised two sons, Bill and Chris. Bob's hobbies included hunting and fishing and cheering for the Washington Redskins. Following his retirement in 1992, he enjoyed collecting antique fishing gear, working in his meticulously-kept yard and garden, and investing deeply in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He gave generously of his time and expertise as a consultant with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He also devoted many years of volunteer service to the Springfield Youth Club, serving as a coach in the football program. He was affectionately known as "Coach Pop" to the many players and parents with whom he worked. Bob attended Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield. Bob is survived by two sons, Bill Gleason (wife Edna) of Savannah, GA, and Chris Gleason (wife Ingrid) of Springfield; by five grandchildren, Rachel George (husband Tim) of Savannah, GA, Jon Gleason (wife Loren) of Roanoke, VA, and Erika Gleason McKellop (husband Daniel) of Springfield, Lee Gleason (wife Danielle) of Arlington, and T. J. Gleason of Springfield; and by six great grandchildren. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Immanuel Bible Church of Springfield or the Springfield Youth Club. A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 1:00 PM in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge with the Reverend Bill Gleason officiating. Local arrangements are being handled by Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.