HANOVER, N.H. - Robert “Bob” Crawford James, 91, of Occom Ridge, N.H., formerly of Mendota, died peacefully at home on Jan. 13, 2018.

There will be no visitation. A private graveside service for family members only will be held at Pine Knoll Cemetery in Hanover, N.H. at a later date.

Bob was born Nov. 26, 1926 in San Diego, Calif. to Rear Admiral Walter F. and Esther (Crawford) James. He married Ann Van Etten in 1949.

Survivors include his wife of Hanover, N.H.; their seven children, Randy (Beth) of Kitty Hawk, N.C., Tia (Bradley) of Hanover, N.H., Brad (Sara) of Stowe, Vt., Julie (Doug) of Monroe City, Ind., Jim of Avon, Maine, Jason of Portland, Maine and Vanessa (Alex) of Cornwall, Vt.; one brother, Colonel James D. James; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Bob graduated from Mendota High School in 1944 where met his future wife, Ann. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1949. He was also a graduate of the General Line School, the Naval War College, and the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif. While at Georgia Tech, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After graduation from the Naval Academy, he went through flight training at Pensacola, Fla. and was designated a naval aviator early in 1951. As a fighter pilot, he had two tours flying from carriers during the Korean Conflict. In later years, he was assigned to the Navy’s first supersonic fighter squadron and later commanded a squadron in Cuba. He also was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet Headquarters in Norfolk and later at Carrier Division Staff in the Mediterranean. He taught at both Notre Dame and Dartmouth NROTC units. After his tour at Dartmouth in 1973 where he was the last commanding officer, he retired from the Navy and became an agent for Connecticut Mutual and then a special agent for Northwestern Mutual.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society, 300 Old Rte. 10, Enfield, NH 03748.