Robert L. Orton

Robert L. Orton (Bob) 93 years of age of Austin, TX died August 27, 2014 in Dripping Springs. Born February 21, 1921, in Elgin, Illinois, the eldest son of Ira & Martha Orton was raised and schooled in Elgin graduating from Elgin High School in 1939, attending the Elgin Watchmakers College and working for the Elgin National Watch Factory.

He entered military service as a US Army Air Corps Cadet in May 1942 receiving his pilot wings and officers' commission in August 1943. Bob completed 51 combat missions (256 combat hours) in September, 1944 as a B-17 Aircraft Commander with the 15th Air Force, 483rd Bombardment Group (H), 840th Bomb Squadron, European Theater of Operations based at Sterparone Airfield, Foggia, Italy. His many military awards from that time include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Unit Citation and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters for missions flown over the Ploesti Oil Fields, the Southern France Beachhead and the heavily defended armament factories of the Third Reich. Bob returned to the States as a B-17 Instructor Pilot until his release from active duty July 1945.

Prior to the Korean War, he was an Air Traffic Controller for the FAA in Chicago, while continuing service in the Illinois Air National Guard until being recalled to active duty status as a Captain in September 1951, and accepting a commission in the regular Air Force in 1954. Bob continued his USAF career until retirement in 1972 from 12th Air Force, Headquartered at Bergstrom Air Force Base. He retired as a Lt. Col. after 30 years of military service with duty assignments in numerous States, Canada, Korea and Turkey.

After retiring from the military, Bob worked for the Texas Department of Public Safety Disaster Emergency Services Division, retiring for the last time in 1986.

He was married to the former Dorothy Mungerson on May 29, 1943, and remained married for 71 years until Dorothy's death on August 5, 2014. Bob was predeceased by his parents Ira & Martha Orton and brother, Bruce Orton. He is survived by his daughters Barbara Mitchell of Austin, Nancy Page (John), of Crossville, Tenn., Mary Rasbury (Glenn) of Dripping Springs, Ann Andersson (Anders) of Austin and son Tom Orton (Shelly) of Bigelow, AR., 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish, 2620 S. Congress, on September 1, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 4600 E. Ben White Blvd., on September 2, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial, with full military honors, at Assumption Cemetery, South IH 35.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church or the Wounded Warrior Project. The family would like to thank Grace Hospice, especially Terry Louro, for their wonderful care and support.