Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force on March 3, 1944. He was an Airplane Armorer Gunner serving in WWII in Northern and Central Europe. He was honorably discharged on January 6, 1946, receiving an American Theater Ribbon, EAME Ribbon with three bronze stars, an Air Medal GO 177 and WWII Victory Medal. In April of 2011, he was able to take the trip to Washington, D.C. with Honor Flight to see his respective memorial.
On June 7, 1945 he married Bertha Bell (Nance) in Wichita, Kansas. Together they had three children.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bertha; daughter, Roberta Kay; and son-in-law, Michael Van Buren.
Survivors include his children, Suzanne Van Buren, Steven and wife, Betty Fisher; grandchildren: Shelley and husband, Glenn Ritter, Andrew and wife, Jennifer Fisher, and Sarah Fisher; great-grandchildren, Zachery Ritter and Brooklynne Ritter.
Visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W. Kellogg, Wichita. Private family graveside will take place at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, Garden of Gospels.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with Phoenix Home Care and Hospice, 3450 N. Rock Road, Bldg 200, Suite 213, Wichita, Kansas 67216.
