Robert L. “Bob” Legris, 89, passed away April 22, 2013 in Fort Smith. He was born February 4, 1924 in Kankakee, IL to Justin Joseph and Isabella (Tourangeau) Legris. As a member of “the Greatest Generation,” he joined the Army Air Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor that sparked World War II. He eventually became an expert at one of America’s most important secret weapons, the use of radar, and flew night missions out of the Philippine Islands as a member of a crew of a B 24 Liberator known as “the Snoopers.” He loved radar school because it was so secretive, there was never any homework. He didn’t discuss his military career much but was still very proud of his service to his Country. Bob worked as a research and development engineer for A. O. Smith and Roper Stove before joining the staff at Rheem Manufacturing in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1966. During his career he worked on the design teams that perfected the self-cleaning oven and the concept of electronic ignition for heating appliances, but he regarded his greatest adventures as moving his family away from what had been their hometown for generations to join Rheem in Michigan and then on to establish the new Rheem plant in Fort Smith in 1970. He was a past President of the Rheem Management Club. He was married to the love of his life for sixty one years and was most proud of his family, particularly his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a member of Christ the King parish for more than 40 years, and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club. He volunteered for the Fort Smith Trolley and he also drove the Sam Van. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; and his sister, Adair. He is survived by three sons, Jon Pierre Legris of Portland, OR, Claude W. Legris and his wife Paula of Fort Smith, and Marc R. Legris and his wife Barbara, of Fort Smith; three grandchildren, Angela Dobbins and her husband Steven of Broomall, PA, Nicole Legris of Benton, IL, and Justin Carter Legris of Nashville, TN; two great-grandchildren, Matthew Gabriel Dobbins and Emily Catherine Dobbins, both of Broomall, PA. Rosary will be said at 7:30 P.M. Thursday, April 25, 2013 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 12:30 PM Friday, April 26, 2013 at Christ the King Catholic Church with burial in Fort Smith National Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Bud Wicks, Dick Fuhrman, Vickie “Cookie” Muratore, Jerry Muratore, Paul Rivaldo, and Gary “Elf” Slack. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dan Lawson and Glen Thames. Visitation will be prior to the Rosary from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Thursday, at Edwards Chapel. Memorials may be sent to Fort Smith Christmas Honors c/o Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 612 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901 or to U. S. Marshal’s Museum, 14 North 3rd Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.
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