Robert "Bob" Xavier Briden

Robert “Bob” Xavier Briden

Robert “Bob” Xavier Briden, age 88, of Mechanicsburg, peacefully passed away with his loving family by his side on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.  Bob was born on Friday, January 31, 1930 in Stanford Springs, CT to the late Xavier L. Briden and Gladys Marie (Houle) Briden.  His father moved to America from Alsace-Lorrain after World War I and his mother was of French-Canadian descent.  In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his half-brother.

Bob’s survivors include his wife of 53 years, Sharron Lee (Bain) Briden; his three sons: David Briden and his wife, Vicki, of Virginia, Richard Briden and his wife, Gina, of Mechanicsburg, Christopher Briden of Mechanicsburg; his four grandchildren: Robert, Faith, Spencer, Elle; his three sisters: Louise, Bette, Mary; and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was a retired Postal Service Employee who served as the Postal Service’s Chief Real Estate Appraiser for 21 years, and continued in that capacity on contract for another 10 years following his retirement in 2001.  He graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton, Massachusetts and Lowell Technological Institute in Lowell, Massachusetts.  He joined the Massachusetts National Guard in 1947, graduated from the Massachusetts Military Academy, their Officer Training School and attained the rank of Captain in the Army Reserve.

In 1955, Bob moved to Fairfax, Virginia and worked in his family owned motel and in the defense aerospace industry.  In 1960, he was accepted by the Carthusian Order, a Roman Catholic Monastic Order, to test a vocation to the religious life.  He was in Vermont and England with the Order before returning to Virginia in 1962.  Bob then began his real estate career.  He was employed in the private sector as a real estate salesperson, then a real estate appraiser until he became an assessor for the City of Alexandria, Virginia in 1968.  In 1972, he took a position with the District of Columbia, he was then appointed the Assessment Standards Specialist of the Department of Finance and Revenue, and then joined the Postal Service in 1980.

He was past president of both the American Society of Appraisers and the Society of Real Estate Appraisers, Washington, D.C. Chapters.  He was, for many years, a member of the Appraisal Institute and held its MAI designation, as well as the CRE designation of the Counselors of Real Estate.  While in the assessment field, Bob was a Certified Assessment Evaluator member of the International Association of Assessing Officers.

All are welcome to join Bob’s family at his viewing on Friday, June 22, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and at his Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with The Reverend Thomas J. Rozman celebrating.  Bob’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing, 4931-4953 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, immediately following the Mass.

All are also welcome to join Bob’s family at his viewing on Saturday, June 23, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. until time of casket closing at 12:00 p.m. at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 South Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.  Burial will immediately follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alexandria, VA.  Bob’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at IL Porto Ristorante, 121 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Bob’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Bob’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.