In Memoriam: Robert Sondej
Robert L. Sondej
9/3/1939 – 8/18/2024
It is with great sadness that the Towne family learned of the passing of Robert Sondej. He was a founding member of the TowneBank Portsmouth Board and became an Emeritus Director in 2010.
Robert graduated from Churchland High School and was a member of the Churchland Truckers football team. He attended Staunton Military Academy and graduated from Wake Forest University and T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.
At age 26, he became the first man awarded a direct commission as assistant legal officer for the 5th Coast Guard District. He served three years and then went on to practice with several law firms in Portsmouth, most recently Sondej & Radin. He was a member of the Virginia Bar Association and the Portsmouth Bar Association. He also served on the Board of Trustees for Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.
Robert loved to play golf, vacation in Nags Head with family and friends, attend his grandchildren’s sporting events, and read every book and newspaper he could find.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Shirley; daughters Kerry Bolling, Holly Bolling, and longtime TowneBank family member Robyn Leavy, and seven grandchildren who called him “Pop.”
We send our condolences to Robert’s family. We will miss him.