Robert B. Hughes

Robert B. Hughes, 88, of Fort Wayne, died September 14, 2016 at Lutheran Hospital after suffering a stroke at the Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station. He was born November 27, 1927, to the late Robert and Agnes (Sullivan) Hughes in New York City, New York. Raised in Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York, Bob went to school at Mount Hermon in Massachusetts. He then attended Hobart College in Geneva, New York before entering the Army Air Corps in 1946. He attended Aerial Photography School in Denver, Colorado and was sent to Japan for two years. Most of this time was spent at Yokota Air Force Base. He returned to the U.S as a Staff Sergeant and joined the Indiana Air National Guard in Fort Wayne. This unit was called to active duty for the Korean War. He returned to Fort Wayne working at Weatherhead Co. and Essex in production control and sales of hydraulic components. Continuing to serve in the Indiana Air Guard as a Master Sergeant, he received a direct commission to 1st Lieutenant and then Captain prior to being called to active duty again with the 122nd Fighter Group. He was the first officer to leave on this deployment and the last officer to return from Chambley, France. He met the love of his life, Bette Bet, and they were married in four weeks. He said it was his smartest move ever. They married November 18, 1957, and were married for 58 years. Bob was one of the founders of Transmission & Fluid Equipment (TFE). He became sole owner and was joined by his son Christopher. TFE has now been in business 52 years. He is survived by his wife, Bette; son, Christopher; and grandson, Beale Hughes, all of Fort Wayne. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Burgoon and Gwendolyn Hills. Private services will be held by the family. A Celebration of Life will be from 1-4pm on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the TFE Training Center, 7001 Ardmore Ave., Fort Wayne. Burial at Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran School at www.lutheransgo.org/donate/ or to Community Harvest Food Bank, 999 E. Tillman Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind. (46816).