Robert Waldrop

Robert Waldrop Robert Waldrop, 92, died of a heart attack and stroke at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Beaufort, SC, on February 4, 2015 following a very brief illness. Since 1999 he resided at Dataw Island with his daughter, MaryAnn Waldrop. Robert was a veteran of World War II, having enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at age 19. Following his training as an airman, he was assigned to the 306th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, based in England. His B-17 bomber was shot down on February 4, 1944 (exactly 71 years before his date of death) while returning from a mission deep into Germany. He and his fellow crewmembers all survived the emergency parachute jump, were captured, and become German prisoners for the remainder of the War. Robert was able to attend the very recent ceremony at the 8th Air Force Museum in Savannah where the Museum's now-restored B-17 was formally dedicated. He was a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society and served for several years as a Museum volunteer docent, helping visitors learn of the tremendous sacrifice of the airmen who served during WWII. Robert was a member of the American Ex-Prisoner of War organization, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans. Additionally, he was a Past Commander of the Indiana State POW organization and, in 1994, received from then-Governor Evan Bayh the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the highest award presented a citizen of Indiana for outstanding service to that state. Robert was born in 1922 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Following his return from Europe after the War, he began a career in public safety with the Fort Wayne Police Department where he rose to the rank of Captain. Upon his police retirement in 1968, he was named to head the Security Department at a large Magnavox defense-related manufacturing plant in Fort Wayne. Robert was predeceased by his nine siblings and by his wife of 52 years, Helen Jean Marschand (also of Fort Wayne) whom he married in 1945. He is survived by his daughter, MaryAnn Waldrop, his granddaughter, Erin (a surgeon residing in the Washington, DC area and married to LtCol Hunter R. Rawlings IV, USMC), a great granddaughter, Isabelle, and a great grandson, Jack. Services for Robert will be at the National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC at 2 PM on Friday, February 13. A reception following the service will be held at the Dataw Island Community Center. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Robert be made to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Savannah, GA 31402. Please share your stories about Robert by visiting www.copelandfuneralservice.com Copeland Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.