Robert L Essler

Funeral mass will be held at St. Rita Catholic Church, Father Eric Groner, on Friday November 2, 2018 at 10am. Visitation and rosary will be held the evening prior on November 1 from 6-8pm at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow funeral service at Moore Cemetery.

Robert Essler was born on August 10, 1925 and Scotland Texas to Joseph Essler and Rosie Hanke Essler. Robert L. Essler married Minnie “Midge” Johnson in 1981. He joined the U.S. Army and received his military training in Camp Fannie, TX; from there he went to Fort Meade, MD to overseas. On D-day, he was sent to Germany from 1941 to 1946, WWII. Robert received an Honorable Discharge on June 18, 1946 from 90th Division Company E 359th Infantry. On June 5, 2016, he was honored in Normandy France for his service and fighting for their freedom. Robert Essler received the French Legion of Honor Medal. He was very proud of having served his country.

After the war he worked in Wichita Falls, TX for different companies. He owned Industrial Electric in Wichita Falls, TX for 2 to 3 years in the early 1960s. In 1967, he went to work for LTV in Grand Prairie, TX for 24 1/2 year building electrical circuit boards in air planes. He also worked on the night carrier landing training instruments (trainers) in California and Florida. After retirement, 1991, he continued working on panel boards for planes for restoration in preparation for museums and historical presentations. He loved to work with his hands and was very talented with detail. He could always figure out a way to fix something that was broke.

He was an active Catholic member for Fort Worth Catholic Church. A member of the Knights of Columbus since 1940 with a 3rd degree. He worked for the Arlington Charities. He loved to listen to country and western music and dance to two step and waltz. He taught his daughter how to dance.

He is preceded in death by his wife Midge Johnson Essler, his baby infant son Joseph Essler, his two brothers (Bill and George) and four sisters (Bernice, JoAnn, Eleanor, and Lydia).

He is survived by his daughter Barbara Essler Downes and her husband Robert Downes of Haslet, TX. His granddaughter Amanda Lynn Downes Adams and her husband Derek Adams of Roanoke, TX, and grandson Brian Lawrence Downes and his wife Amber Marlette Downes of Watauga, TX and five great-grandchildren Bryony, Kolby, Drake, Jack, and Jacob.

Pall bearers are Terry Essler, Steve Essler, Mike Fowler, Rod Jackson, Brad Pearson, Pat Timlin