Robert Earle Clapp, III

Bob Clapp passed away after a life of 82 years. He died peacefully at Anne Arundel Medical Center on Saturday, September 28 after a day of visitation there with his wife, brothers, and family members. He lived the life he wanted to live.

Bob came into the world at Frederick Memorial Hospital as the first born of Robert and Josephine Clapp on August 16, 1944, and he called 203 Lindburgh Avenue his first home. He was eventually joined by siblings, Richard, James and John. The house on Lindbergh was much too small for four young boys, so Bob’s parents bought a house in the country – a place called Araby, now known to local historians as “the Thomas Farm” the locale of the Battle of Monocacy.

Bob flourished there. He played little league on the Araby team up the street, he adopted the 50s look of an early Elvis Presley, and seemed to revel in the “Rebel Without a Cause” persona of a James Dean.

Nevertheless, he succeeded academically, and after graduating from Frederick High School in 1962, he matriculated at William and Mary College whereupon he attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. He followed that by earning a Master’s degree in History at the University of Maryland, College Park and then secured a position as a history professor there.

Teaching history was not to be his final life’s calling. He transitioned from the world of academia and moved into the world of banking where he worked at various banks such as American Security Bank in the Washington DC area. His career was primarily in the field of debt collection which he liked to describe as a position which required him to retain a baseball bat nearby for obvious reasons. Some people just don’t like having their car repossessed.

Work was a sideline. What he really enjoyed was his family. He married Jennifer Dixon of King’s Mountain, NC in 1982; the marriage didn’t last, but the friendship did to the end. He married Ann Renfro in 2002, and it did last to the end. Ann and Bob lived a life together in Laurel, Maryland; they eventually moved to Kent Island where Bob spent his last days.

What did Bob like to do? A long list. He loved to travel, especially to the Caribbean where he took to Windjammer cruises, and where Ann and he were wedded. He loved the beach and showed it by becoming a devout Jimmy Buffet “Parrothead”. He traveled to Europe and the American West. He loved gardening and he loved country music and westerns, and he loved watching and following the Washington Commanders. He absorbed politics – those who knew him know which side – and he loved hot dogs and beer (Miller Lite, if you please)

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Judge Robert E. Clapp, Jr. and Josephine Routzahn Clapp and by his sister-in-law, Ellen Thoms Clapp.

Bob’s family that he leaves behind to remember him and grieve include his wife Ann, step-daughter, Denise Blake and husband, Todd of Waynesboro, PA., and their children, Joelle and Gabe Blake, and step-daughter, Ricki Terry and husband Billy and their children, Tori Merino and Alli Terry. Bob is survived by his brothers, Richard of Kiawah Island, SC, James (Amy) of Frederick and John (Colleen) of Frederick.

Uncle Bob will also be fondly remembered by his nieces and nephew for, among other things, the Easter egg hunts and hidden pirate’s silver: Kathryn Clapp Sanders (David) of Charlottesville, VA; Reid Clapp (Kate) of Scituate, MA; Natalie Clapp (Christopher) of Summerville, SC; Michelle Clapp currently seeking a medical degree in Provo, UT, and Regina Clapp of Kihei, Maui, Hawaii.

He will also be missed by his close friends of many years, Mark and Vivian Steinburg of Olney, MD. and by his first wife, Jenny Dixon Clapp of Kings Mountain, NC.

Family and friends can gather at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701, on Monday October 19, 2026 from 5pm until the start of the memorial service at 6pm.

One can never adequately author an end-of-life description of another’s life, but let it be known and documented here that Bob was respected, loved and honored. Bob, you will be remembered and missed.

For any wishing to make a charitable contribution in Bob’s name (in lieu of flowers), we note that Bob was especially sympathetic to pediatric cancer patients and was fond of these charitable organizations: Addi’s Blankets of Love and Blood Cancer United (previously, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).