Albee, Robert A. "Bob" 1923-2014

ALBEE, DODD, AYERS, WILLIAMS, RATHKE, SCHROEDER, MOORE, WALES, RUFFINO, FITZPATRICK, RILEY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/9/2015 at 21:56:17

ALBEE, ROBERT A. 'BOB', 91 Ocala - Our loving 91 year old Patriarch, Robert A. 'Bob' Albee passed away on Dec. 20, 2014 in Hospice Care of Marion Co. Born May 29th, 1923 to Allen Leroy and Julia (Dodd) Albee, he grew up in Newton, Iowa with his siblings; Harold, William, and Mary. After High School graduation in 1942, he enlisted and served in Europe during WWII with the U.S. Army 3rd Armored Division. He was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, Silver and Bronze Battle Stars. He reenlisted in 1946 and served as an Army Staff Sergeant until 1952. He served in the Air Force Reserves while earning his BA from Colorado College. Graduating in 1956, he was awarded the Alpha Kappa PSI Medallion for outstanding student in Business Administration and Banking. He began employment that same year with Western Electric Accounting Dept. near Chicago and continued with the company until his retirement as Department Chief in 1983.

He was involved in community service over the years with Telephone Pioneers, Junior Achievement and Loyal Order of the Moose. He served as a Republican precinct captain and treasurer for his church board. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. For the last five years he has truly enjoyed his volunteer work each week with the VA Ocala Clinic. He was a patriotic man who loved discussing politics, playing cards, reading history books, and doing crossword puzzles. An avid NASCAR Jeff Gordon Fan, he enjoyed several Daytona 500 trips and loved to tell stories and listen to his favorite Big Bands and Crooners.

In 1949, he married his lifelong sweetheart of 59 yrs., Sharon Ayers, who passed away in 2008. They were snowbirds in retirement splitting time between Minnesota and Florida. They shared a love of dancing, fishing, camping, antiquing, and spending time with family and friends. They were devoted parents of nine children. Karen, Stephen and Douglas preceded them in death. Robert is survived by daughters; Deborah (Allen Williams) Albee, Judith (Craig) Rathke, Teresa Albee, Laura Albee (Kurt) Schroeder, Lisa (Michael) Moore, and Cheryl Albee; his grandchildren Kelly (Tim)Wales, Brianne (Tony Ruffino) and Hayley Williams, Robert and Jennifer Moore, Stephen and Julia Fitzpatrick; his great-grandchildren; Mason and Morgan Ruffino; brother-in-laws Roger (Sherry), Bruce (Cindy) Ayers and sister-in-law Sandra (Dan) Riley and many nieces and nephews. They all held a special place in his heart as he did in ours.

The family invites you to celebrate his life at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2015 at Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park. Memorial burial service will be held at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL this spring. Donations preferred to Hospice of Marion Co. or Fisher House Foundation. ~ The Des Moines Register Legacy, Des Moines, Iowa 9 Feb 2015.