IN MEMORIAM: Robert W. Banning

IN MEMORIAM

formerly of Bob Banning Motors

The association reports with sadness the passing of longtime Washington area dealer and WANADA member Robert W. Banning. He died Thursday, June 6, 2013 at the age of 86.

Bob Banning was a fixture in the automobile business here, going back to the 1950s. After a stint in the U.S. Navy and at the University of Maryland, he joined his father, George, at Banning-Sheehy, where George Banning and Vincent Sheehy were partners.From there, Bob and his Dad opened Banning & Sons in Hyattsville, Maryland, which made way in later years for Bob Banning Motors and later Beltway Dodge where Bobs son, Bob, Jr., became a third generation dealer in the 1970s.

Bob Banning, Sr. served on the Board of Directors of ATANCA, the forerunner group to WANADA, and later was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates from Prince Georges County. Subsequently, he served as chairman of the Maryland Racing Commission, a post he held under three governors.

He also served in the leadership of Prince Georges Hospital and was a member of Kiwanis.

Besides Bob, Jr., Mr. Banning is survived by Mary Jane Banning and Ola V. Brady, five other children, 11 grandchildren andgreat-grandchildren.

The family will celebrate Bob Bannings life at The Army Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA, tomorrow afternoon, June 14, 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.Contributions in his memory can be made to the Virginia Hospital Center Foundation, 1701 N. George Mason Drive, Arlington, VA 22205, or Victory Junction, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, NC 27317.

To Bob, Jr. and the rest of the Banning family, WANADA extends its sincerest sympathy.