Robert Elmer Leininger

Robert passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at St. Agnes Medical Center after a long illness. Bob was born on January 21, 1919, in Indiana to Elmer and Mary Leininger. He attended school in Tipton, Indiana. His seventh and eight grade was at Emanuel Lutheran Church school. He enjoyed High School, especially P.E., and played basketball in his senior year... they were first place. Bob andhis brother Ray played semi-pro baseball.

He joined the U.S. Air Force on January 21, 1942. After training, he was sent to the Pacific. He was proud to say "we took the B24 to the Pacific". He was a member of the 90th Bomber Group Jolly Rogers and proud of it. Bob was discharged Master Sergeant on October 8,1945.

Bob worked for Massey Ferguson first at the local dealership then with all of North America. He was proud of the five trips he had with Massey Ferguson Brigade. He had a truck and trailer loaded with parts for the Harvest Brigade. They started in Spring from Texas to the Canadian Border keeping the M.F. Combines always working by having the parts right there. In Winter, he would teach in Detroit for the Massey Ferguson dealers who came for training on the latest machinery. Promoted to Toronto to Massey Ferguson Limited Corporate Harvesting Engineering where he worked for the last 21 years.

He traveled all over the world and was proud of his eight trips to Australia making many friends. Australian people talked many times to Bob of the U.S. saving them from being taken over by Japan in the War.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; step-son, Tommy Smith; and daughter-in-law, Marion Smith.

He is survived by Bennie, his wife of 44 years; step-son, Joe Smith; sister, Helen Jeffcoat; and nephews, John Leininger and his wife Ruth of Village, Fl., Frank Ecker and his wife Shirley of Oh.; and niece, Evelyn Leininger of Pa.

Visitation will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Friday, October 7, 2011, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 11:30 a.m.

Remembrances may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 4672 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93726.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.