Robert E. Rager

Robert E. Rager, 87, of East Hartford, loving husband of Marian (Konjoyan) Rager, passed away on Thursday (December 7, 2006) at Hartford Hospital after a long illness. Born in Columbus, IN, a son of the late Mary (Brockelhurst) and Benjamin Rager, he had resided in East Hartford for the past 41 years. Besides his wife, Marian, of 61 years, Bob is survived by his four children and their spouses, Mary-Anne and Robert Kenary of Manchester, Robert R. and Jeanne Rager of South Windsor, William and Gloria Rager of Manchester, Richard Rager of East Hartford; a sister, Dorothy Cooley of Columbus, IN; six loving grandchildren, Sheryl Rager West, Brian Kenary, Sean Kenary, Eric Rager, Lauren Rager, Lindsey Rager; two special great-grandchildren, Kelly Kenary and Jordan West; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Bob was predeceased by two brothers, three sisters, and others in Columbus, IN. Bob was a World War II U.S. Army Air Force veteran as an airplane mechanic from 1941-1945, serving in the European theater. After the war he married and settled in Connecticut and under the G.I. Bill of Rights, trained as a Diesel Mechanic with the Hartford Company of Cummins Diesel of Columbus, IN remaining for ten years. He then went to work at the Army ""Nike"" sites based in Windsor Locks, until their closing in 1971. He remained as a Civilian employee with the 1st Army CT Defense area in Middletown, until his retirement in 1975. Although Bob lived and raised his family in Connecticut, he never lost his love for Southern Indiana and the dear family he left there. He truly was a mid-westerner, handsome man, quiet man, private man, and patient man who never raised his voice in anger or ever spoke cruelly about or to any individual. Bob loved fishing and hunting. He so loved his wife and children and was completely devoted to them. He was taken care of at home by his wife and children. We would be remissed if we did not thank all the nurses and doctors who treated him and us at Hartford Hospital with such kindness, understanding and compassion. Funeral service will be Tuesday, December 12, at 1 p.m. at the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial will be at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Monday, December 11, from 6:30 ? 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Bob's family asks that you share in Bob's name, your thoughts and donations to those less fortunate. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.