Robert E. Korth

ROBERT E KORTH Aug 4, 1919 - Jan 31, 2009Dad's 89 years were filled with enviable experiences.He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to immigrant Swedish parents, moving several times, ending up in Los Angeles. Growing up in LA his life was filled with excelling in sports, lettering in football, baseball, track, and basketball and getting into mischief with his sister and three brothers - one time they put their younger brother Fred into a truck tire and rolled him down a city street and into the harbor. He built houses with his dad, raced his model A Ford, and was active in the Shamrock Athletic Club. While at UCLA he played football at the Rose Bowl, his aggressive playing earned him the nickname ""bullethead"".Dad was drafted into the US Army twice, once on Feb 26, 1941, but received a medical discharge 2 months later. Then drafted again on November 17, 1942. He served with the 104th Infantry Division ""Timberwolves"" as a combat medic, advancing from Holland to Germany in 195 consecutive days of front line combat, the most of any Division. His platoon liberated the prisoners in the Nordhousen concentration camp; he was awarded two Purple Heart medals for being wounded in action and two Bronze Stars for heroic achievement in connection with military operations in Germany. ""At great risk to his life he made numerous trips across open fire-swept terrain under direct enemy fire in order to evacuate casualtiesâ?¦in spite of the enemy fire he continued to perform his duties in a superior mannerâ?¦his courageous actions saved the lives of many of his comrades."" Another instance he carried a wounded officer above his head, holding his breath while he walked completely submersed across a canal.Edna Huleatt became a pen pal with Dad during the war; they met for the first time after the war when Dad was a bellhop at Mammoth Lodge in Yellowstone. They celebrated 62 years of marriage in October 2008. After they were married he worked for the White Pass & Yukon Railroad in Skagway, Alaska then moved back to Loveland in 1948 for the birth of their first child. Dad began his 35 year career in Civil Service working on the Big Thompson Project and ending with a stint in Saudi Arabia.After retirement Dad volunteered with numerous city programs in Delta and Loveland. He enjoyed traveling, camping, and hiking with his family and friends.By example, he taught his kids the importance of strong family values, the value of money, he instilled a great work ethic, and at six feet tall and 200 pounds of muscle he was the toughest man I knew.He is survived by and deeply missed by his wife Edna, four kids, Darleen, Dennis (Carol), David (Kathryn) & Danette (Bill); six grandkids, Casie (Ben), Jason (Michelle), Adam (Jen), Scott, Allison & Jessica; and three great grandkids, Emma, Ashley & Drake.Memorial service will be held 10:30 Saturday February 7th at the First Presbyterian Church, 531 8th St, Berthoud.In lieu of flower, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church sound system.