Robert "Bob" Carl Oesterreich

Robert "Bob" Carl Oesterreich, son of Carl and Marne Underleak Oesterreich, brother of Phyllis Lipscomb, and the twin brother of Roberta Joyce, was born Jan. 21, 1925, in Rochester, and passed away peacefully in San Diego, Calif., on 9 May 2015, aged 90.

Bob was brought up in Rochester, and in June 1943, he graduated from Rochester High School as vice president of the senior class. Bob had a Saturday job cleaning mixer interiors at a bread factory, and was a member of the Boy Scouts and Order of the DeMolay. This was during World War II, and Bob enlisted immediately, hitchhiking to the Twin Cities, and reported to Fort Snelling in June 1943. In August 1944, Bob received his wings and a second lieutenant rating. In February 1945 aged 20, Bob flew from Florida to China by way of Brazil, Africa, Arabia, India, and over the "Hump" in the Himalayas as part of a Flying Tigers' mission under the command of Major General Claire Chenault. Bob was stationed in Kunming, China, with the 14th Air Force, flying a B-25 on combat missions. As a first lieutenant, he was moved to Hankow, China, where he flew C-46 and C-47 cargo planes, transporting Chinese army personnel and supplies to prisoners of war. After the war, Bob returned home in time for Christmas 1945.

For his service in the U.S. Army Air Force, Bob was awarded the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, two Presidential Unit Citations, and two battle stars for his Asiatic-Pacific ribbon. He also received a tribute and expression of appreciation from the White House signed by President Harry Truman.

In 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve for the length of the Korean War, flew B-25's on training missions and was promoted to the rank of captain. Upon his discharge, Bob enrolled in business administration at the University of Minnesota, at Minneapolis under the GI Bill. He joined his father at Hanson Hardware Company and subsequently owned and operated several business enterprises of his own.

In the 1960s Bob moved to Southern California where he spent the remainder of his life. In August 1969 Bob petitioned the California Supreme Court to change his name legally to Robert Carl Oster. Bob became a mentor and partner in many small business enterprises, including a cast aluminum foundry; a number of pawn shops; a roller skating rink; and a video store. Bob enjoyed traveling the world, visiting Asia, Europe and Africa.

In the 1980s Bob joined the Church of Religious Science where he met his life partner, Rita Shafer.

Bob has no children, and is survived by his nephews and nieces.

Bob will be remembered for his service to his country in time of war, but also his entrepreneurial skills, and mentoring of small business.

Bob will be buried in the Underleak family cemetery plot in Chatfield. Graveside service will be held Friday, May 15, at 2 p.m. at the Chatfield Cemetery, with military honors by the Chatfield VFW.

Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield is in charge of arrangements, 507-867-4310, rileyfuneralhomes.com.

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