Robert was born November 26, 1934 in Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio to Paul Inglis and Lillie Opal Crego. He attended John Burroughs Elementary and Bremen Elementary School. He attended Bremen High School, also known as Rushcreek Memorial High School, through first six weeks of Junior High where he played left tackle on Bremen Oilers Football team. Then, he moved to Carroll High School from where he graduated in May 1953 and was a member of the National Honor Society. He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Air Reserve Training Command, Port Columbus Naval Air Station, Columbus, Ohio in March of his senior year.
After graduating, he went to work in Lancaster, Ohio at RBM division of Essex Wire Corporation until Marine Air Reserve Boot Camp at Port Columbus and also Camp Sherman Rifle Range in Chillicothe, Ohio. Two week maneuvers followed that with Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF 244) at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina. He volunteered for active duty to complete his military obligation and was called up effective October 2, 1953. He traveled by train and bus to MCAS Cherry Point, NC with about 5 other men and was processed into Station Aircraft Engineering Squadron 2, which name was shortly changed to Station Maintenance Squadron 2. He was assigned to what was called “Station Ordinance” which was the department that looked after the explosives storage magazines on the base and transported explosive ordinance (bombs, rockets, machine guns ammo, etc.) to and from the magazine as needed. While there at Cherry Point he spent some months as a “prison chaser” guarding marine prisoners on work detail who were in the brig for various crimes/infractions. He also spent several weeks at the base sawmill sawing up logs which was good physical labor that he enjoyed. Then a friend of his, Cpl. Landry, nominated him as a replacement for his office of Ordinance Supply as he was being discharged. He was accepted by Msgt. Robert G. Hoover, who turned out to be a superb individual and mentor. He had volunteered for overseas duty and was assigned to leave Cherry Point in August for leave before going overseas. He was really sad to leave MSGT. Hoover.
He boarded the MSTS General A.W. Brewster troopship for a two week voyage to Kobe, Japan, thence by bus to Itami Air Force Base, then after about 4 days was flown to K-3 Marine Air Base, on Yongil-Man Bay, about 5 miles from Pohang, Korea where he was assigned to the Base Ordinance Section-duties-arming aircraft of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 121. After about 5-6 months squadron was moved to K-6 Airbase near Pyongtek, then after only a month or two was moved to K-3 airbase. While at K-3, he spent about 60 days with the base Guard Company, mostly guarding Marine prisoners who were in the Brig for many different infractions. Subsequently was assigned to Napalm Area and spent a few months making Napalm and after that spent remainder of time in country moving, sorting and classifying bombs in the bomb dump which entailed him to getting an official license to operate a caterpillar tracked crane, called a “cherry picker”, which he used to lift, move, and load bombs on trucks/bomb dollies as necessary.
His two years of active duty being nearly up, he was sent home in early September 1955 via MSTS General D. E. Aultman, subsequently going for a few days to Treasure Island, then home via train. He was released from active duty with the rank of Corporal on October 1, 1955. He was recommended for re-enlistment but chose not to do so. His parents moved to 412 Stoddart Avenue in Columbus, Ohio and he went to live there after his release from the military. He was then in the Marine inactive reserves for another five plus years.
He was fortunate to find a job with the City of Columbus, Dublin Road Water Treatment Plant and began work there on October 19, 1955, which was the beginning of his career in the field of water treatment and supply.
In January, he began attending Capital University part time taking courses in biology and bacteriology which would benefit his water career. Subsequently he attended OSU for a quarter to get some chemistry education.
On July 19, 1957, he and Ms. Jean A. Mullenniex got married and set up housekeeping at an apartment at 37 Lexington Avenue in Columbus. On July 21, 1958, they had the first of their two children, Robert P. II, the next was Deborah Jean born September 16, 1962.
While with the Columbus Water Treatment Plant, he started through the State Water Treatment Certification process, and qualified for his Class C and then Class B Water Treatment Plant Operators Certificates. Also he was designated Leading Operator on his shift and in addition was also trained in preparing the State Operation Reports which was required to be submitted to the Ohio Department of Health and subsequently did those reports thru the rest of his tenure with the City.
In early 1961, he took a job with the City of Hilliard, as Superintendent of Utilities, in which position he was in charge of Water and Wastewater Treatment, Buildings and Grounds, Streets and Water Distribution. In 1962, he took and passed his Class A Water Treatment Plant Operators Examination and received his certificate qualifying him to be in responsible of any water treatment plant in Ohio. In 1963, he accepted the position of Superintendent of Water and Waste Water with the City of Defiance, Ohio. During his time with Defiance he passed the tests for the Class C and B Sewage Plant Operators Certificates. Also, while there he served on the Maumee River Basin Water Improvement Committee. He worked at the City of Ashland from 1965-1984 as the Director of Water Treatment Supply and Waste Water.
He was the original designer of the City of Ashland logo. He was instrumental in construction of Veterans of Ashland County Historical marker. He was a long time member of Ashland Historical Society.
He was a 50 year Mason serving in Ashland Lodge #151 Free and Accepted Masons where he was 32nd degree Mason and Worshipful Master.
Special thank you to the Good Shepherd Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the exceptional care given to Robert.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jean Crego; his son, Robert P. Crego Jr.; his daughter, Deborah (Jeffrey) Gipper; his grandson, Ben Householder; and his great-grandson, Bryar Householder. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at Wappner Funeral Directors-Ashland, 308 Claremont Ave., on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 10:00 am. A Celebration of life following the service will be held at the Brookside Park lower pavilion. Memorial contributions may be made to The Cat House Feline Sanctuary Inc., 1130 E. Main Street #136, Ashland, Ohio 44805. Wappner Funeral Directors-Ashland is honored to serve the Crego family.
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