Robert enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1943 and was discharged in April 1946. In 1946 he married Lucille (Dietrich) Derr. Their children are Thomas (1947), Richard (1951), Charles and Christine (1957), and Douglas (1963).
Robert's career started as a surveyor with the Army Map Service and ended 41 years later as a Resident Engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers in 1985.
He married Helen (Opfer) Magstadt on May 2, 1987. They traveled the next 10 years in their 5th wheel trailer, researching family history which resulted in the Derr-Cropper Family History book. They sold their 5th wheel and retired in Hemet, California in 1997.
Robert is survived by his wife, Helen, brother John (Bill) of Nebraska, sister Marianne of Alaska, sons Thomas (Branha), Richard (Sharon), Charles, Douglas Derr and daughter Christine (David) Axtmann, 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
