ROBERT E. MCCORKINDALE

Robert Eugene McCorkindale, 86, a member of the "Greatest Generation", died January 26, 2013 . . . a true hero. Not only a hero because of the two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the sharpshooter's medal, his service as being in the first wave of troops to go ashore in the occupation of Japan, but a hero to his family because of his steadfast service as a kind, decent, loyal, husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather. He was a truly special man, and the backbone of our family, through his 60-year marriage to his college sweetheart, Irene. As father to five children, grandfather to six grandsons and great- grandfather to four (two boys and two girls), Bob served as a fine role model, never quitting through good times and bad and keeping on through a series of health challenges that began in 1984. This WWII sergeant rallied the troops, and taught life skills so that now, when all his children are in their 50s, they can carry on bravely, with good humor, to the end, as he did. Born in the late 1920s, bob lived a typical Depression-era life. When the family breadwinner was killed in a robbery, the family split up. Bob was sent at age 7 to live with a maiden aunt in Kansas City, separated from his younger siblings. He remained in her care until he graduated from East High School in 1944. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the Army and sent at age 18 to fight in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. As one of three scouts for his unit, he found himself as a 19-year- old sergeant, with a Purple Heart, in the harbor as General MacArthur accepted the Japanese surrender. After discharge, he attended Central Missouri State College, under the GI Bill, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. There he met Irene Boyle, who graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. The college sweethearts were married May 23, 1952, and nine months and nine days later were the proud parents of a daughter, Cynthia Diane. He worked in the insurance industry for the remainder of his life, retiring from Fireman's Fund American Insurance in 1986. In short order, four more children arrived and all survive him today: James Robert McCorkindale, Karen Louise Baum, Daniel Jason McCorkindale (Julia) and Cheryl Anne Ramsey (Jeff) as well as six grandsons: Travis Baum, Kyle Baum (Natashia), Samuel Baum (Maillia), Malcolm Glidden, Alex Gliddon, and Jason Kurtenbach (Afghan War veteran); three step-grandchildren: Catherine, Ellen and James Ramsey; and four great-grandchildren: Emma K. Baum, Olivia Irene Baum, Spencer Robert Baum, and Michael Howell Baum. In addition, sisters Earlene Townsend and Shirley Richardson survive him along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives in the metropolitan area, as well as his brother-in-law, Bruce C. Boyle. The family wishes to offer sincere thanks to the VA for the excellent care received from the Primary Home Based Care Team who visited Bob at home, arranged all hospital treatments, and even provided a private hospice for Bob at the VA Hospital, where in his final hours, he could be with his family, hear his grandson, Travis, play guitar for him, and "go quietly into this good night.' This care, we understand, was provided to only 150 veterans in this metropolitan area (based on their service record). They literally saved Bob's life physically and financially many times over. Bob's body was donated to medical science. The family will have a Celebration of Life, May 5, 2013. "Take your hats off children, your daddy is passing. . ." (From "To Kill a Mockingbird,' as Atticus Finch leaves the courtroom.)