Robert C. ANDERSON

Enid News and Eagle Garfield Co., OK

03-10-2011

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

© Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home

© Glenn

Robert C. Anderson, Waukomis, died peacefully at home Sunday, March 6, 2011. He was born in Enid on March 21, 1921, to parents Irvin C. and Bessie (Miller) Anderson and raised on the family farm north of Waukomis. He attended Waukomis Public Schools, graduating in 1939. After graduation he held various jobs and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in January 1942.

He served as a radio operator on B-24 and B-25 aircraft with the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron in several stateside locations and eventually in the China-Burma-India Theater. There, he and his crew flew more than 350 combat hours over Indochina, Burma and China. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for service in three major campaigns. At war's end he returned to Garfield County and worked at Woodring Field. In 1946, he met a young lady also working at the airport and later that year married Iris Mae Estill of Carrier. They resided in Enid but shortly moved to Waukomis, where he was active in several civic endeavors. He was instrumental in forming the first Cub Scout pack in Waukomis and served many years as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 14. He was elected to Waukomis school board and served in that capacity for several years.

Robert worked at Vance Air Force Base for more than 35 years, beginning as a line mechanic. He became a foreman and worked in aircraft maintenance planning and material control. During that time he was recalled to active duty in the Air Force for the Korean War with duties at Vance. He concluded his professional career as the director of maintenance for trainer aircraft at Strategic Air Command bases in several states. He retired in 1984.

He and Iris operated an antique business for many years, traveling to all parts of Oklahoma and the surrounding states in search of antique and collectible glass. They were active in Sons and Daughters of the Cherokee Strip Pioneers and he served on the board of the organization.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ralph Anderson; his sisters, Helen Bee McVay and Alma Dee Gungoll; and by his life-long love Iris. He is survived by his sister, Dorthy Stone of Rockville, Md.; his children, Susan Stambaugh of Waukomis, Larry Anderson of Edmond, Kimberley Elliott of Evergreen, Colo., and Terry Anderson of Mesa, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Service will be at Waukomis United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. Friday, March 11, 2011. Burial with military honors will follow in Waukomis Cemetery. There will be a time of visitation with the family from 6-7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.