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In Memory

Robert H. Wright - Class Of 1940 VIEW PROFILE

Robert H. Wright

     

Robert H. Wright

Jun. 25, 1921 - Jan. 5, 2015

Lt. Colonel (ret.) Robert H. Wright, of South Bend, passed away on January 4, 2015. He was born in South Bend on June 25, 1921, to Wylie and Catherine Wright. He was preceded in death by his brother Verl A. Wright and his twin brother, Wylie T. Wright.

A lifelong resident of South Bend, Bob graduated from Washington Clay High School in 1940.

Bob built model airplanes as a youth and always had a dream to fly. Following Pearl Harbor, in 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He proudly served his country as a B-17 pilot during World War II. As a member of the 8th Air Force based in England, he flew 35 combat missions over Germany. Recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict, he dropped paratroopers. Bob retired from the Air Force after 39 and ½ years of combined active and reserve service.

On October 11, 1947, he married Esther Lemons. He is survived by Esther, his daughter, Sue Wright and his sister, Bernice Pelka, all of South Bend.

In 1964 Bob fulfilled his career ambition by becoming owner-operator of Ace Hardware in South Bend. He retired in 1981 after 17 years of providing not only hardware, but advice, friendship and service to the community.

Bob was an avid woodworker who built furniture and clocks, and even built the home where he and Esther lived for more than 60 years. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church for over 50 years, serving as an usher for many of those years. He was a long-time member of the Elks Club and enjoyed working at their bingo games for 30 years. Bob was a lifetime member of the 8th Air Force, the Military Officers’ Association and the Air Force Society.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 8th in the chapel of First United Methodist Church, 333 N. Main St. with Rev. Mary Hubbard officiating. Committal servicesating. Burialthodist Church, 333 N. Main St. with Rev. Mary Hubbard officiating. Burial and burial with military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 until 7 p.m. today, January 7th in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Rd.

 

06/19/2022 DEC

 

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