Robert T Trumpy Sr.

Robert T. Trumpy, Sr., 86, of Springfield, died Saturday, October 23, 2010 at his home.

He was born in South Pekin, IL. March 16, 1924 the son of Forrest and Mary (Schaefer) Trumpy. He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings. He married Marion Miller in 1944 and she preceded him in death on November 7, 2009.

Robert was a US Veteran who served in World War II in the Army Air Corps as a gunner on a B-24 Liberator. During a bombing mission on a German synthetic fuel plant on December 17, 1944, his plane was shot down by German fighters. He parachuted into the mountains of Czechoslovakia, was captured by a German patrol, and was held as a prisoner of war in multiple German prison camps until late April 1945, when his prison camp was liberated by General George Patton’s 3rd Army. He suffered as a result of extreme cold, poor sanitary conditions, and a limited food supply. During his captivity, he lost fifty pounds, which was a quarter of his body weight. He received a Purple Heart and several medals for his bravery.

Robert was a superior three sport athlete in high school, excelling in football, basketball and track. After the war, Robert attended Illinois State University, where he received undergraduate and Masters degrees in Education. At Illinois State, he was a starting running back on the football team. During his later years he was very active in the Springfield community. He was a member of the District 186 Board of Education, the YMCA, the American Business Club, and Luther Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church. Robert had a sixty year career as an investment advisor, and in his later years he co-managed an investment advisory firm with his daughter, Beckie Trumpy Ethell.

Robert was famous for his magic tricks and his tall tales, and he published a book of poetry. He loved to fish, golf and was a member of the Pasfield Park Golf League. He enjoyed watching many sports and his favorite teams were the Cincinnati Bengals, Illinois Fighting Illini, and the Northwestern Wildcats. In his final months of life, he set a goal to travel to Evanston to see his grandson Michael score a touchdown for Northwestern against Robert’s alma mater, Illinois State. On September 11, 2010, Robert’s dream came true.

Robert is survived by his son Robert T. “Bob” (wife Pat) Trumpy Jr, of Cincinnati, OH, his daughter Rebecca A. “Beckie” Ethell of Chatham, IL, his son, R. David (wife Beth) Trumpy of Wheaton, IL, his grandchildren Matt (wife Sally) Trumpy of Cincinnati, OH, Jason (wife Adrian) Trumpy of Camp Hill, PA, Jamie (wife Toni) Trumpy of Sawyerville, IL, D.J. (wife Michelle) Trumpy of Chatham, IL, Justin Trumpy of Edwardsville, IL, Caroline, Michael and Claire Trumpy of Wheaton, IL., and Nick Ethell (wife Rhonda) and Michelle (husband Scott) Hudspeth, both of Athens, IL and his great grandchildren, Tyler, Trent, Cherokee, Allyson, Brandon, Hannah, Luke, Lauren, Josh, Connor, Lauren, Jack, Kelli and Morgan, and his sister Betty Horne of East Peoria.

Robert donated his remains to anatomical science.

A memorial gathering will be at Bisch Funeral Home West 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd. where the family will greet friends from 4-7 PM Wednesday, October 27, 2010. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, October 28, 2010 at Lutheran Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church 2600 S. 5th St. Springfield, IL. Pastor Ron Moorman and Pastor Jon Berg will officiate. Military Honors will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may direct memorial contributions to the Springfield YMCA and the Lutheran Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church in Springfield.

Please visit Robert’s Life Remembered Story at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.