Marine, FReeper/Lurker Goes to Final Rest

Vanity Post | Jan 30, 2002

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

As members of the FreeRepublic Family I thought you all would want to know that one of your avid FReeper/Lurkers passed away quietly at home on Monday night after a battle with cancer. Robert, my Father-in-law, was 79 and a Marine Veteran. Although he was never quite able to get up the nerve to post here, he avidly read and enjoyed all of your posts daily. He was a man who exemplified courage, strength and an enduring love to his family, his friends, and his country. He was proud to have had the privilege of serving his country for 41 years as a Marine Aviator, active in W.W.II as a flight instructor, then in the Korean War as a pilot (flying off the Yorktown) where he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals in addition to other Service Medals, followed by 20 years in the Marine Corps Active Reserves until 1983.

May I offer to you Freepers, as an important part of his online community, a salute which he would surely do himself if he were here. Robert will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Feb 6 and his soul will find peace with his Creator.

[mountaineer]

My sympathies to the family of this fine man. Thank you, Robert, for your service to our country. Semper Fi.

[hobblemaster]

Rest In Peace sir, Semper Fi!

[mafree]

My condolences to all of you. Rest in peace Robert.

[My Identity]

God Bless Him and His

[BellStar]

Semper Fi Marine.

[TexasNative2000]

We're honored by his visits to FR, saddened by your loss, and grateful for his service. Thank you, and God bless.

[First_Salute]

Salute.

[Calico]

Semper Fi, sir. May you rest in peace where "the streets are guarded by United States Marines".

[mombonn]

God rest his soul - condolences to your family.

[Argus]

"If the Army and the Navy

Ever look on Heaven's scenes,

They will find the streets are guarded by

The United States Marines."

[mad_as_he$$]

Thank you Robert and Semper Fi....

[Ditto]

RIP, Robert.

[Teacup]

My condolences to your family.

I only hope Free Republic brought you laughs, and joy. God Bless you. Rest In Peace sir, Semper Fi!

[KC Burke]

There are many that visit this forum on a regular basis and for a number of reasons are uncomfortable participating. Often they are hesitant due to its, sometimes, combative interplay and don't want to loose their friendship-at-a-distance good regard for what they find here.

As your father-in-law considered himself a member of the FR community, I'm sure we send him a big EAGLES UP and ask that he is recieved into the arms of his maker with a tenderness that we combatants down here are often incapable of showing until too late.

[Dukie]

Semper Fidelis and salutes to you, Robert.

A.P.D.: Having said goodbye to my Dad ( 3rd Marines / 3rd Division ) in December, I understand how much you'll miss him.

[Tank-FL]

Long Live the Corps

[First_Salute]

And a Salute to your pop, too.

[The Right Stuff]

God Bless your Dad. He is at peace now, sharing war stories with his other buddies at the feet of the Lord.

You will see him again.

[Jeff Head]

God rest his soul and may he have found the peace he protected and defended for all those years.

... and God bless you and all of his relatives and friends with the assurance that you will surely meet him again in that hereafter in a place far better than this.

Semper Fi!