Happy memories
Silently kept,
No need for words,
We'll never forget
Love your family and friends. UK.

I would like to submit a short bio of my brothers years in the Marine Corps.  I am not sure that those who may be attending this service, including nephew Martin and niece Naomi  know this history in some detail.

In his high school years, at 6'3" and 220 plus pounds he was a natural athlete and was a three year high school letter man in football.  He also played basketball and field and track.  But football is where he really excelled.  While in his senior year Bob and some of his foot ball team mates cooked up the idea of joining the Marine reserves.  I know how their thinking went:  Wow! A couple of days a month we get to wear these neat uniforms and march around the armory learning close order drill.  On top of that we even get paid for it.  That has to impress the girls at high school!  Now, Bob was only 17 at the time so our father had to sign his permission for Bob's enlistment papers.  As it would happen, war broke out at that time in Korea and then China entered the fray by sending thousands of their soldiers across the Yalu river and into North Korea.  Bob's Marine reserve unit was called into active duty.  Pulled from high school and after a shortened boot camp was shipped to Korea and immediately sent to the front as a combat infantryman (his high school diploma was sent to him later by mail)  Because of the high casualty rate for the Marines Bob was asked to take a battlefield commission but refused it, as by Marine policy, he would be required to also accept a transfer away from his buddies, to another unit.  He did two tours in Korea, this one at the start and another near the end.  In between tours he attended communication school and helped install the communication system at the Pan Moon Jon (sp?) peace treaty site.

Years later he was asked to be a boot camp drill instructor and spent a record number of tours training young Marines for Vietnam duty. He went on to spend a combat tour in Vietnam, himself.  He spent the rest of his Marine career divided between 29 Palms, Camp Pendleton and Okinawa.

Years later, a co-worker of mine at an optics plant in Norther  California looked at me during a break period one time and mumbled:  "Phelps, Phelps, hunh"  I had a Marine drill instructor in San Diego named Sgt. Phelps.  He was the biggest, toughest, most onery Marine I ever ran across.  Is he a relative by any chance?"  Yes, I replied, he is my brother..

Words are few
Thoughts are deep
Memories of you 
Will always keep

Uncle Bob... Husband to his beloved Sylvia Louise Phelps first, Military second and friends and family third.  He loved coming to see us in South Africa, sharing stories of their many travels around the world and spending endless hours teaching the children about the solar system and the stars. He loved South Africa so much that he chose to marry his beautiful wife in a quaint little Church which held no more than 20 people in a seaside village called Port Alfred on the 22nd December 1995.  He was adorned in his Military Uniform and looked so happy and proud as he took his vows. 
Uncle Bob rarely missed a Marine Birthday party celebration all over the United States and he was honoured at many.  Even when he was poorly, his wife Sylvia made sure he was dressed proudly and made sure he attended the annual Military Balls in his wheelchair. 
Bob never complained, even though he was in great pain with arthritis. A kind, gentle mannered, honourable man. Proud of his Country.  We will truly miss you Uncle Bob. We stand and salute you. May you Rest in Peace. Much love Paula, Geoffrey, Kerry, Jessica, Connor and Yasmin. Xxxxx

God Bless Bob.. We know he is in a better place with his beloved wife Sylvia. We thank him for all the service he did for our Country over the years. Bob was a very good friend to many many many people and will be sorely missed.  Tom and Joyce Logudice

OBITUARY

Robert Allen Phelps

28 September, 1932 – 13 July, 2015

Joshua Mortuary & Joshua Memorial Park

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