Bob Alden passed away on July 23, 2026, from Alzheimer’s Disease in San Diego. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware to Dr. John Wiley Alden and Elizabeth Alden. He took pride in being a Pilgrim descendant of John and Priscilla Alden who sailed to the New World on the Mayflower in 1620. He respected his heritage and was a member of the Alden Kindred of America and the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Bob graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1970 and proudly served his country for 20 years with dedication, loyalty, honor and distinction during the Cold War Era. He received commendations and awards for outstanding leadership contributions in the areas of intelligence, electronic warfare and professional achievement. Bob retired in 1990 after contributing significantly to the accomplishments of the mission of the US Navy and the Department of Defense.
After retirement from the Navy, Bob worked with a team of Civilian War Gaming Specialists for 19 years at Tactical Training Group Pacific to train Carrier Strike Groups, Expeditionary Strike Groups and Amphibious Ready Groups of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet. He provided intelligence support to this overall effort.
Bob firmly believed in serving his San Diego community and took “Be The Change” seriously. Volunteering became his passion. He donated thousands of hours of his time, energy and talents to organizations and causes that he felt would make a difference. In 1997, Bob began to volunteer and continued volunteering for the next 25 years! He quickly got involved with the Polinsky Childrens’ Center emergency shelter and serving meals to the homeless at Father Joe Carroll’s.
As Bob became more involved he started his own San Diego Cares project at the Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma. He played tennis there and brought volunteers to teach and play tennis with disadvantaged children. He founded the After School Tennis project, became team leader for several years and served on the board. He received several awards for outstanding contributions to tennis and the community.
Bob graduated from the LEAD San Diego Community Leadership Program in 2006 and was appointed to the LEAD San Diego Alumni Council. He received awards for Exemplary Service to LEAD and its Alumni Council. Bob became deeply involved with Junior Achievement San Diego and later in Florida. He loved teaching young students the basics of money management and the importance of owning their own success. In 2014 Bob received a Junior Achievement Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award which was very special to him. He began volunteering with the Women’s Museum of California in 2009 and served on the board as Vice Chair/Governance. He was asked to serve on other non-profit boards including the San Diego Council on Literacy, Tariq Khamisa Foundation and Art Pulse. In Florida, Bob became a docent at the WW11 Naval Air Station Ft. Lauderdale Museum and served on committees for commissioning two ships.
In 2011 he was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for over 4,000 volunteer hours from President Obama. He later received a second President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Trump for over 5,000 hours. During Bob’s 25 years of volunteering, he logged over 9,400 hours of service and donated generously to charity.
Bob is survived by his wife Carol Ann, brother John M. Alden (Shelley), sons Robert Keith Alden, Jr. (Matt) and Michael Gordon Alden (Jocelyn), grandsons Matthew Alden and Ryan Alden, Nephews John M Alden, Jr, and Douglas Alden (Dawn Angelia).
Family and friends are invited to attend a Military Honors Ceremony for Bob at Miramar National Cemetery Friday SEPTEMBER 25TH at 11:00 AM followed by a Celebration of Life at Southwestern Yacht Club at 12:30 PM. Please visit the Trident Society Website.
In Lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Bob's honor to the Alzheimer's Association.
Updated: September 03, 2026
Curator: Ed Moore