Robert William Hanni

Robert Hanni, 90, a resident of Merced, passed away, Friday, October 23, 2015 in Merced. He was born June 7, 2015 in the family farmhouse on Applegate Road in rural Atwater to Rudolph and Frieda Hanni. He attended Applegate School and graduated from Merced High School in June, 1943.

Upon graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Force and completed cadet training at Arkansas State Teacher’s College, Jonesboro Arkansas, Aircraft Armament, Lowry Field, Colorado and Army Air Force Gunnery School, Las Vegas, Nevada. Robert was a Armor Gunner with 834 Bombardment Squardron, 486th Bombardment Group serving with the 8th Air Force Bomb Group stationed in England for seven months. He flew 19 combat missions over Germany and Northern France. Robert attained the rank of Sergeant and was awarded several medals.

After being Honorably discharged from the service in the fall of 1945, Robert spent several years farming in the Applegate area until he decided to use the G.I. Bill and attend The National Trade School in Los Angeles. After graduation he was employed by Halton Tractor Company in Merced as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic. When Halton Tractor Company relocated to Longview, Washington, Bob went with them. Several years later Bob moved back to Merced and worked for Holt Bros. building the San Luis Dam. Upon completion of the dam, Bob moved to Portland, Oregon and worked for Halton Tractor Company until his retirement in 1987. After retirement, Bob moved to West Port, Washington to pursue his love of deep sea fishing. Durning his retirement he won many Salmon Fishing Derbies. He was an avid hunter and loved to garden.

In 2011, Robert moved back to Merced to be closer to his sister, nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Florence Arrillaga, Gretchen Fanconi, Bertha Gabriel, Ruth Jensch, and his brother Walter Hanni. Surviving him is his sister Dora Aja and many nieces and nephew and their extended families.

Bob is dearly remembered by his sister Dora and all his nieces, nephews and their families.