Robert E. VanZee, World War II Marine veteran and charter member of the Marine Corps League Outer Banks Detachment was born and raised in Orange, New Jersey.  Following his graduation from high school he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps.  Upon completion of initial training Robert received orders to Guam, Mariana Islands as a replacement.  On Guam he was assigned to the Sixth Marine Division and began training in earnest for the invasion of the Japanese home islands, scheduled for September 1945.

With the capitulation of the Japanese government following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the invasion was cancelled and Robert was sent to China.  There, he and his fellow Marines were tasked with locating, disarming and gathering members of the defeated Japanese Army and Navy for transportation to the Japanese home islands.  Upon completion of this tour of duty, Robert returned stateside and was honorably discharged as a Corporal.

Having completed his service as a Marine, Robert began work on his post-secondary education at Bucknell University and the College of Engineering of Newark and subsequently received a degree in civil engineering.  In the expansion of the highway system that followed the Second World War, Robert worked tirelessly on the road system in New Jersey for many years in all facets of construction, including design, contracting and building.  His efforts in civil engineering gained him notoriety and a distinction of having been involved, in some aspect, with virtually every highway in the state of New Jersey.

Robert was also involved actively involved in his community's social justice efforts, playing a leadership role in the construction of thirteen Habitat for Humanity homes.  Many people who could not have owned a home without his giving spirit are now living in "the house that Bob built." 

Following his retirement and relocation to the Outer Banks, Robert continued his service to our community and rendered his services to the expansion of Duck Methodist Church and remodeling of the parsonage.  He also transformed his love for gardening by organizing a church/community gardening group to grow vegetables for the needy of the community.

Robert Van Zee personified the phrase “Once a Marine, always a Marine!”  Although grievously ill, he was the first to apply for Marine Corps League membership when the efforts began to form an Outer Banks Detachment.  One of his greatest pleasures, before the Supreme Commandant called him to guard the gates of Detachment Everlasting, was participating in the Charter Presentation Ceremony of Outer Banks Detachment #1264 on 17 February 2007.

In honor of Robert Van Zee's faithful and honorable service to our Country, his community, and to the Marine Corps League, the members of the Outer Banks Detachment have made a donation towards the purchase and maintenance of our Organizational Color to serve as a visible reminder of our brother Marine.