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N0KFQ > SK 11.07.12 01:03l 75 Lines 3535 Bytes #999 (0) @ USA
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Subj: +Bob Florence, W7ZOY
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Sent: 120710/2321Z 25006@KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA BPQK1.4.51
In Loving Memory Of Robert Eugene Florence
Isaiah 40:31: "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their
strength, They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run
and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint."
June 29, 2012, Robert Eugene Florence passed peacefully at his
Branson home in the arms of his wife, Georgi, and daughter, Kathy
McDonald. Mrs. McDonald (husband, John) resides in Sacremento,
Calif. Other survivors are daughter, Diane Townsend (husband,
Michael), of Des Moines, Washington; two granddaughters, one
grandson and five great-grandchildren.
Bob was born October 8, 1920, son of Paul and Ferne Florence,
Wichita, Kansas. His sister, Pauline Malmberg, preceded him in
death. He married Marilynn Bisop in April, of 1942, and
volunteered to the Navy in November of 1942. Marilynn Florence
passed in March of 1998. Bob remarried, sharing thirteen
extraordinary years with his surviving wife, Georgi Hehn.
Bob, a Navy pilot, served proudly during World War II at several
U.S. bases, then Keneohe, Hawaii, Midway Islands, Enewetak and
Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Tinian in the
Mariana Islands. When at Tinian, he was involved with the
Invasion of Iwo Jima and also led the B-29 "Enola Gay" as a
radar-jamming companion to the coast of Japan when Hiroshima was
hit by the first atom bomb "Little Boy". He received many medals
during his military years but was most proud of the Presidential
Unit Citation for the most sunk tonnage of any squadron in the
Pacific Theater.
Bob's life following the war primarily focused around aviation,
his true passion. Initially he worked at Beechcraft Aviation in
Wichita as a design engineer, later as test pilot. He also worked
at Boeing Aircraft. Eventually he became CEO of his own company
inventing the Crash Locator Beacon and was a major in the Civil
Air Patrol. An additional safety creation Bob brought to the
world was the strobe lights we see blinking on airplane wings. He
was a ham radio operator and a member of the Ozarks Chapter of
the Missouri Pilot's Association. He took great pride in being a
32nd degree Mason.
Bob's life accomplishments are many, first having earned a law
degree by correspondence during the war. In later years he
obtained a PhD in Alternative Medicine. He made things happen. No
challenge was too bIg. He loved his Lord and his country. He was
a humble man. a loving man to his family, a fun person bigger
than life, and will be sorely missed. His thirst for learning
never ceased. Bob was an accomplished pianist and taught himself
the harmonica mere months before his passing.
Bob's last battle in life was short, four months fighting cancer.
In the last days prior to his death, he told his wife and
daughter "I am sorry to leave my loved ones, but rm really
getting excited about going. I've been blessed with many
adventures in my life, but this next adventure, learning of
Heaven and the Kingdom of God, will be the beat yet!"
His favorite poem "High Flight" begins "Oh! I have slipped the
surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered
wings; sunward I've climbed, and joined this tumbling mirth of
sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things" ....(ending with)
"I put out my hand and touched the face of God".
A Celebration of Life will occur later on the West Coast.
Cremation was handled by Greenlawn Funeral Home. Memorials may he
made to Hospice Compassus of Branson.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: n0kfq@winlink.org
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