Robert E. Rhodes died after a long illness at Lahey Clinic in Burlington March 3rd at the age of 71. Robert was born and raised in Ripley W. Virginia, Mattapan for several years and Melrose the past 43yrs. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and after the war he worked as the Assistant Director of Building Services at Mass. General Hospital in Boston for 33yrs. He was the husband of Cora E. (Draper) Rhodes. Father of Pamela J. Beckford , Debra A. Connors both of Melrose, Joyce A. Marcarelli of MD and Cynthia M. Field of Wakefield. Brother of Eileen Winters of West VA, James Rhodes of TX and Ann Carr of Ind. Grandfather of Julie, Kip, Corrin, Crystal, Robert, Michelle, Devin and Lauren. Funeral services will be held at Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Thurs. March 8th at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Wed. 4-8 PM. Burial in Puritan Lawn Cemetery Peabody. US Navy Korean War Veteran.