Truckin' on the Western Branch

Robert “Bobby” M. Stanton Bobby Stanton, founder of Stanton Partners, Inc., has developed numerous real estate ventures across Hampton Roads and served on several boards but still makes time to attend the monthly luncheons of the Dream Team—the 1954–55 Churchland High football team.

We moved to Green Acres in 1948 when I was 10 years old. I had a Norman Rockwell childhood there and remember lots of ducks, geese, and squirrels in the area. I delivered The Virginian-Pilot to 63 homes in Green Acres—every house in the neighborhood. Chandler Harper, Bob Rowland, George T. McLean, Tommy Newsom all lived there.

It was a pretty simple life. On weekends we went to movies at the Commodore or Colony and dances. There were parties at the Suburban Country Club in Hatton Point. I went to Churchland Baptist, and at 16 years old I was a youth pastor. I was an only child, and after school and football practice I went home to homework and Batman & Robin on radio. TV was just coming in. My father, C. M. Stanton, was a boxing fanatic and watched Pabst Blue Ribbon and Gillette fights.

My father, a chief in the Navy, was a plank owner and served on the commissioning crew of the USS Wisconsin when it first sailed from Philadelphia in December 1943. My office in Norfolk overlooks the ship, and every morning I come in, look out the window and say Good Morning to him.

Robert “Bobby” M. Stanton. Image by Sheally

C. M. Stanton. Image by Sheally

Opposite page: USS Wisconsin . Image by Sheally

110