Robert Harold Owens
Robert Harold Owens, 90, of Marietta, passed away at his home on Saturday, December 21, 2013. He was born in Coshocton, Ohio on September 15, 1923. He was born to Stacey Wood Owens and Theresa Mae (Huff) Owens and was their first son.
He was preceded in death by both his parents and his loving wife of 39 yrs Jeannette (Grup) Owens on September 4, 2011. They married in May 1972. He was also preceded in death by his older sister Geraldine Morford, and twin younger brothers David and Dwight.
He worked for the Taylorcraft Airplane Company as a teenager in wing assembly, and enlisted in the Army Air Corp immediately after his graduation from Marietta High School at the age of 17 yrs.
He completed his basic training and went to Santa Ana Army Air Base to attend flight school. He graduated on December 21, 1943 with honors and began his career as an Air Corp pilot. He saw action in World War II in Europe, France, Germany and Italy. He was discharged and came to his parent's home in Alliance. Ohio and attended Mount Union College on the Montgomery GI Bill: he graduated in 3½ yrs. in 1949 while working at Spring and Holzworth. He was called back into service in the Korean Conflict. After Korea, he flew private planes and was an instructor.
As an electrical engineer for Robertson's Electric and Federal Pacific Electric, he excelled in sales and product knowledge and was the 1st civilian to propose, sell and oversee installation of the electrical product for new buildings at Kirkland Air Force Base. During those years, he lived in Youngstown, Toledo and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
When it came time to retire, he returned to Marietta, but finding that the slower pace didn't suit him, became the manager for Union Slag and Gravel. He stayed with that company for a few years then retired for good.
He is survived by his 5 sons; Steven, Jeffrey (Raffaella), Anthony (Andrea), Robert, and Douglas (Lori), and his 2 daughters; Michele (Roger) Listwan and Cynthia Conlon. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Stacey, Matthew, Jill, Lori, Kimberly, Mason, Dominic, Elena, Isabella, Michael, Ashley and Chance, as well as his great grandchildren; Lillian, Liam, Austin and Ryker. He will be greatly missed.
Robert was a good Christian man with a strong faith and was a member of the Crown of Life Lutheran Church. The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and aids at The Arbors for their incredibly kindness during his brief stay there this fall.
A thank you also goes to the Home Health Care service that took good care of him at his home. A special thank you goes to Joe and Melinda Crone and Darla and Chris Uppole, who were his good friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to his church, the Taylorcraft Flying Club in Alliance, Ohio or to The Arbors. McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral home is assisting the family and no services will be observed at this time. Messages of sympathy may be sent at www.lankfordfh.com.