Robert Downing - Age 89 - Cuarteles Chaffe

Robert Chaffe, 89, Cuarteles, died Friday, Dec. 17, 2010.\r\n Mr. Chaffe was born May 29, 1921 to John Chaffe and Roberta Downing Chaffe in Philadelphia, Pa. His father was a steel mill salesman, his mother’s family was heavily involved in the Pennsylvania Railroad.\r\n He graduated in May 1939 from The Haverford School in Haverford, Pa. He attended Cornell University, and studied chemical engineering. He left Cornell his junior year in 1942 to volunteer for the US Army Air Corps.\r\nMr. Chaffe joined the fight during World War II as a US Navy TBM pilot on the USS Essex in the Pacific. He served with the Third Fleet from 1942 to 1945, flying with the “Fabled 15,” a group of bombers involved in 39 battle sorties, for which he received three Air Medals.\r\n His wife, Robin Chaffe, is quoted in a 2007 Rio Grande SUN story as saying, “Bob was on the ship that just couldn’t resist going into every battle.”\r\n He helped fly air cover for the invasion of the Mariannas and the Philippines. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Gold Star.\r\n After his discharge he returned to Cornell and completed his degree in chemical engineering. Soon after graduation he joined an oil company in California and later moved to the MW Kellogg company in Houston, Texas working as a senior project director.\r\n He married his beloved wife, Robin, in 1976 in Houston, Texas. While living there Mr. Chaffe retired in 1980 and he and Robin moved to Cuarteles.\r\n Mr. Chaffe was preceded in death by first wife, Elizabeth Hershey and a grandson, Panchito Olivares..\r\n He is survived by his beloved wife, Robin Rugh Chaffe; three daughters, Barbara Chaffe, Elizabeth Sturman, Michele Hill and; two stepchildren, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.\r\n A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church in Los Alamos, 3900 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos, NM. With military honors. \r\n Burial services will take place at a later date at the Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.\r\n Forever thanks and Love to the Española Hospital Homecare, Ambercare and DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory. \r\n The family of Robert Downing Chaffe has entrusted the care of their beloved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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