Robert F. Savakes

1937 - 2018

Robert F. Savakes

Sun City Robert F. Savakes passed away peacefully to heaven with family by his side on March 12, 2018 in Sun City, AZ. "Bob" as he was known died after a short but courageous fight with liver cancer. He lived 81 great years! Bob was born in the hills north of Pittsburgh PA. in the small coal mining town of Bairdford PA. to Francis J. Savakes and Margret Pallo. on Jan. 18, 1937. His father was a coal miner. Bob's father died in an auto accident in 1942 and his mother moved Bob and his younger brother Edward R. Savakes closer to Pittsburgh to the town of Sharpsburg PA. so she could work in a factory during the War.

When the War ended Bob's mother remarried and the family moved to Oakmont PA. While living in Oakmont Bob was a caddie at the famed Oakmont Country Club and caddied for many famous golfers that played there. Bob graduated from Oakmont High in 1955 and shortly after joined the United States Air Force. Once basic training was over Bob was assigned to a M.A.S.H. squadron as a Medic. His first duty assignment was overseas to Etan A.F.B in France. After a short time Bob and his entire squadron were moved to Wiesbaden A.F.B. in Germany in 1957. Wiesbaden is where Bob would meet and marry Wilma Romer (now Savakes) a German national who was working as a cashier at the BX. Soon after they had their first child Robert J. Savakes. In 1959 Bob and the family were reassigned to Olmstead A.F.B. in Middletown PA. where that year Bob's second child Carol Savakes was born. In 1964 Bob's third child Edward P. Savakes was born there. While at Olmstead A.F.B. Bob received a commendation for rushing to the scene of a bad train wreck and rendering aid to the victims. In 1966 Bob and family were reassigned to Rhein Main A.F.B. in Germany. Bob liked living in Germany with the beer, food, and the people, who really liked him! In 1970 Bob and family were reassigned to Myrtle Beach A.F.B in South Carolina. In 1972 Bob and family were reassigned to Spangdahlem A.F.B. in Germany, from there in 1976 Bob and family were reassigned back to Wiesbaden A.F.B. in Germany where Bob would achieve the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. When the Iranian Hostages where released in 1981 they were taken to Wiesbaden Hospital and Bob was the Chief N.C.O in charge of taking care of them and every one of hostages personally thanked him for the excellent care they received! In 1981 Bob and the family were reassigned to his final duty station at Luke A.F.B. in Arizona were he became a Hospital Administrator and had over 100 troops under his command. Bob retired honorably in 1985 after 30 years of metorious service to his country!

Bob was an avid sports fan and loved all Pittsburgh sports teams. When Bob was a child he would go down to Forbes Field in Pittsburgh and watch the Pirates play though a hole in the fence! Bob was a die-hard Pittsburgh Steeler fan and was friends with some of the Steeler greats from the seventies whom he got to know because his brother Edward was close friends with many Steeler players. Bob also enjoyed betting on the Greyhound dogs and the horses and loved to play and watch Golf.

Bob is survived by his ex-wife Wilma Savakes, son Robert J. Savakes, daughter Carol Savakes, son Edward P. Savakes, granddaughter Rachel Jacobsen, niece Mary Lee Alu, niece Cheryl Jamison, nephew Larry Savakes and their children. We salute you Dad for your service to this country and to this family! You will be forever in our hearts and will always be missed. We will always love you!

Services for CMSGT Robert F. Savakes will be held at the Veterans National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 Cave Creek RD Phoenix, AZ, 85024 on March, 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.