LT Robert Symes '27 was lost on November 30, 1936 when the plane he was piloting crashed near La Jolla, California.
From the Lucky Bag: "AT last the Math Department is due for some commendation. Through its bilging efforts Bob came into our midst during Plebe year. With his winning ways and true comradeship he immediately proceeded to carve for himself a niche in our hearts which only grows deeper and more permanent as time rolls by.
"Bob has evinced only a spasmodic interest in athletics, although we believe he possesses latent powers. Was he not on the basketball squad Plebe year? The apparent reason for this lack of interest in athletics lies in his consistent boning of the Cosmo and associated. Any other type of boning is absolutely taboo, which perchance explains why we are now graced with his presence.
"The thought that the gentler sex has resisted his charms is not to be harbored, for one only has to gaze on his raven black hair and ruddy cheek to realize that there must be many broken hearts throughout his scattered ports of call.
"Gifted with an overflowing well of cheery good humor and the rare knack of being able to express himself, Bob has enlivened many gatherings with the narration of the anecdotes of his prep school days in Washington and his eventful cruises.
"A parting hint—if you are to escape this man's personality, steer clear of his course, for once exposed you are infected forever."
Robert was survived by his father and a son, Robert, Jr.
http://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROBERT_T._SYMES,_LT,_USN
