Surrounded by family, Robert Bruce Epperson passed away January 23, 2009, while vacationing in Mexico with his wife, Dorothy, and Family.
Bob was born in Scott City, Kansas, on August 26, 1920 to Edna and Albert Epperson.
From the age of 12, all he ever wanted to be was a sailor in the United States Navy. Sworn in on July 7, 1939, he attended radio school and was assigned to the USS Honolulu. On December 7, 1941, Bob was aboard the USS Penguin, a minesweeper stationed off of Guam, when it was struck and sunk by the Japanese. Two days later, he was captured and remained a prisoner of war for 3 years and 9 months until the day of surrender, September 2, 1945.
Bob served 24 years in the United State Navy (1939 - 1963) retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 4. He had several key accomplishments within the radio and electronics field. Among these was the responsibility for radio receiver communications during two Project Mercury astronaut recovery missions, MA-8 and MA-9. After retiring from the Navy, Bob moved his family to Anderson, CA where he worked in the engineering department at Kimberly Clark Corporation. Bob spent 16 years there, retiring as Purchasing Agent. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish and enjoyed volunteering with the Boy Scouts. Bob was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officer's Association, the Ex-POWs, and the Sons of the American Revolution.
In retirement, Bob and Dot spent much time traveling throughout the United States and Mexico. The last 20 years they have wintered in the small fishing village of Perula on Chamela Bay in Mexico. They developed very close friendships with many families in Perula and throughout Mexico. Bob will be missed dearly by those both north and south of the border.
Bob is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 62 years, Dorothy, son Alan and wife Dianne, daughter Carol Parrish and husband Kevin. He leaves five grandchildren (Sierra, Charles, Elaina, Jeff, and Robert) and four great-grandchildren.
Bob was predeceased by his son, Robert Clark Epperson.
A Rosary will be held February 5th, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Anderson.
The memorial Mass will be February 6th at 11 a.m. also at Sacred Heart. A reception will follow the Mass at the Parish Social Hall. Later this month, Bob will be buried with honors at the Veteran Cemetery in Igo.
Published in the Redding Record Searchlight on 2/3/2009
Bob was born in Scott City, Kansas, on August 26, 1920 to Edna and Albert Epperson.
From the age of 12, all he ever wanted to be was a sailor in the United States Navy. Sworn in on July 7, 1939, he attended radio school and was assigned to the USS Honolulu. On December 7, 1941, Bob was aboard the USS Penguin, a minesweeper stationed off of Guam, when it was struck and sunk by the Japanese. Two days later, he was captured and remained a prisoner of war for 3 years and 9 months until the day of surrender, September 2, 1945.
Bob served 24 years in the United State Navy (1939 - 1963) retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 4. He had several key accomplishments within the radio and electronics field. Among these was the responsibility for radio receiver communications during two Project Mercury astronaut recovery missions, MA-8 and MA-9. After retiring from the Navy, Bob moved his family to Anderson, CA where he worked in the engineering department at Kimberly Clark Corporation. Bob spent 16 years there, retiring as Purchasing Agent. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish and enjoyed volunteering with the Boy Scouts. Bob was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officer's Association, the Ex-POWs, and the Sons of the American Revolution.
In retirement, Bob and Dot spent much time traveling throughout the United States and Mexico. The last 20 years they have wintered in the small fishing village of Perula on Chamela Bay in Mexico. They developed very close friendships with many families in Perula and throughout Mexico. Bob will be missed dearly by those both north and south of the border.
Bob is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 62 years, Dorothy, son Alan and wife Dianne, daughter Carol Parrish and husband Kevin. He leaves five grandchildren (Sierra, Charles, Elaina, Jeff, and Robert) and four great-grandchildren.
Bob was predeceased by his son, Robert Clark Epperson.
A Rosary will be held February 5th, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Anderson.
The memorial Mass will be February 6th at 11 a.m. also at Sacred Heart. A reception will follow the Mass at the Parish Social Hall. Later this month, Bob will be buried with honors at the Veteran Cemetery in Igo.
Published in the Redding Record Searchlight on 2/3/2009
Surrounded by family, Robert Bruce Epperson passed away January 23, 2009, while vacationing in Mexico with his wife, Dorothy, and Family.
Bob was born in Scott City, Kansas, on August 26, 1920 to Edna and Albert Epperson.
From the age of 12, all he ever wanted to be was a sailor in the United States Navy. Sworn in on July 7, 1939, he attended radio school and was assigned to the USS Honolulu. On December 7, 1941, Bob was aboard the USS Penguin, a minesweeper stationed off of Guam, when it was struck and sunk by the Japanese. Two days later, he was captured and remained a prisoner of war for 3 years and 9 months until the day of surrender, September 2, 1945.
Bob served 24 years in the United State Navy (1939 - 1963) retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 4. He had several key accomplishments within the radio and electronics field. Among these was the responsibility for radio receiver communications during two Project Mercury astronaut recovery missions, MA-8 and MA-9. After retiring from the Navy, Bob moved his family to Anderson, CA where he worked in the engineering department at Kimberly Clark Corporation. Bob spent 16 years there, retiring as Purchasing Agent. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish and enjoyed volunteering with the Boy Scouts. Bob was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officer's Association, the Ex-POWs, and the Sons of the American Revolution.
In retirement, Bob and Dot spent much time traveling throughout the United States and Mexico. The last 20 years they have wintered in the small fishing village of Perula on Chamela Bay in Mexico. They developed very close friendships with many families in Perula and throughout Mexico. Bob will be missed dearly by those both north and south of the border.
Bob is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 62 years, Dorothy, son Alan and wife Dianne, daughter Carol Parrish and husband Kevin. He leaves five grandchildren (Sierra, Charles, Elaina, Jeff, and Robert) and four great-grandchildren.
Bob was predeceased by his son, Robert Clark Epperson.
A Rosary will be held February 5th, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Anderson.
The memorial Mass will be February 6th at 11 a.m. also at Sacred Heart. A reception will follow the Mass at the Parish Social Hall. Later this month, Bob will be buried with honors at the Veteran Cemetery in Igo.
Published in the Redding Record Searchlight on 2/3/2009
Bob was born in Scott City, Kansas, on August 26, 1920 to Edna and Albert Epperson.
From the age of 12, all he ever wanted to be was a sailor in the United States Navy. Sworn in on July 7, 1939, he attended radio school and was assigned to the USS Honolulu. On December 7, 1941, Bob was aboard the USS Penguin, a minesweeper stationed off of Guam, when it was struck and sunk by the Japanese. Two days later, he was captured and remained a prisoner of war for 3 years and 9 months until the day of surrender, September 2, 1945.
Bob served 24 years in the United State Navy (1939 - 1963) retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 4. He had several key accomplishments within the radio and electronics field. Among these was the responsibility for radio receiver communications during two Project Mercury astronaut recovery missions, MA-8 and MA-9. After retiring from the Navy, Bob moved his family to Anderson, CA where he worked in the engineering department at Kimberly Clark Corporation. Bob spent 16 years there, retiring as Purchasing Agent. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish and enjoyed volunteering with the Boy Scouts. Bob was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officer's Association, the Ex-POWs, and the Sons of the American Revolution.
In retirement, Bob and Dot spent much time traveling throughout the United States and Mexico. The last 20 years they have wintered in the small fishing village of Perula on Chamela Bay in Mexico. They developed very close friendships with many families in Perula and throughout Mexico. Bob will be missed dearly by those both north and south of the border.
Bob is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 62 years, Dorothy, son Alan and wife Dianne, daughter Carol Parrish and husband Kevin. He leaves five grandchildren (Sierra, Charles, Elaina, Jeff, and Robert) and four great-grandchildren.
Bob was predeceased by his son, Robert Clark Epperson.
A Rosary will be held February 5th, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Anderson.
The memorial Mass will be February 6th at 11 a.m. also at Sacred Heart. A reception will follow the Mass at the Parish Social Hall. Later this month, Bob will be buried with honors at the Veteran Cemetery in Igo.
Published in the Redding Record Searchlight on 2/3/2009
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