Conducts Military Honors
at 4:00 pm, Thursday, March 2nd
at the Corvallis Cemetery
for Bob Maker
World War II and Korea Veteran and member of the American Legion for 68 years
Assemble at 3:30 pm
Corvallis, Montana - Robert W. Maker of Corvallis, Mt. passed away Saturday, February 18, 2017. He was born Jan.22, 1921 in Framingham, Mass; he was one of two children born to Clifford and Mildred Maker. His sister was Marion Copland.
Robert’s wife Berneice passed away on June 28, 2005. He is survived by his son Robert and his wife Julie of Anchorage, AK; cousins, Rosalba Norton and Donald Maker of Warick, RI; sister-in-law, Evelyn Rappath of Prescott, AZ; and niece, Jane Buechele of Grafton, IA; grandchildren, Paul, Chet and Robin; 12 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
He graduated from Framingham H.S., Ma. in 1938. He went to Northeastern Univ. on a hockey scholarship. Robert joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. as a bombardier. He had over 500 combat hours in the south pacific with the 43rd bomb group. Robert received the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.
Following WWII he completed his education at Boston Univ. where he earned all American honors in hockey. He was selected for the 1948 Olympic Hockey team, but did not choose to go because of his coaching responsibilities at Framingham H.S.
He was recalled into service as a navigator for the air lift from McChord AFB in Wash. to Korea, then later stationed at Mather AFB, Ca. He met Berneice at Mather who was director of nurses. The couple were married Jan.19, 1951. He was assigned to Fairchild AFB, Wa. He returned to Korea joining the 117th bomb group.
Robert was a teacher and coach at Kettle Falls H.S, WA., Publicity Director for the Spokane Indians Baseball Club, Sports Editor of the Coeur d’Alene Press, and Sports Information Director for the Univ. of Idaho. He helped found the Idaho Sports Banquet and the Idaho Hall of Fame. He was an active member of the Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a 65 yr member of the American Legion.
Robert and Berneice retired in Corvallis, Mt. where he tied flies and fished his beloved Bitterroot River. He was still floating the river at 75 years old. His handle is “Bitterroot Bob”.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, March 2nd at Faith Lutheran Church in Hamilton, Montana. Urn placement will take place at Corvallis Cemetery in Corvallis, Montana with military honors will be presented the US Air Force and the Corvallis American Legion. Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society or Faith Lutheran Church.
