Neual R. Hobbs, Tail Gunner, 832nd Neual Roy Hobbs, 96, of Springdale, passed away Monday, December 16, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, AR. He was born November 29, 1923, in Denning, Ark., to Tomie and Ola Mae Fears Hobbs. Neual was a tail gunner with the Levis' crew, flying both B24s and B17s. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was awarded the European Command Battle Stars in the 8th Air Force. He completed thirty missions over Belgium, France, Germany and flying the D-Day Mission on June 6, 1944. He earned the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster Medal and the Liberation of France Medal. Neual was a Charter Member of Elmdale Baptist Church in Springdale where he was active in church serving in various positions including, Sunday School Teacher, Church Trustee and Usher. He was a retired dry goods salesman, a member of the Springdale Country Club and he enjoyed playing golf. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce Fern Hobbs; one son, Ronald Ray Kear and daughter-in-law, Susan Kear; three brothers, William Fay Hobbs, Garland Hobbs, and Bill Morris. Survivors include two sons, Roy Hobbs and wife Sarah of Springdale, and Gene Hobbs and wife Pam of Farmington; one daughter, Patsy Stevens of Kansas; two sisters-in-law, Peggy Hobbs of Van Buren, and Frances Morris of California and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. |
Robert A. Harper, Navigator, 832nd, 19 March 2019
Bob was born in Chicago on April 16, 1924, the only son of Robert Haskell and Isabelle Wilsdon Harper and brother of Isabelle (Betty). While working on the Morgan Park high school paper, he met Sally Lofgren, and they were together until her death in 2011. He attended DePauw University in 1941-1942 as a Rector Scholar, then followed Sally to the University of Chicago. Called to service in April 1943, Bob took basic training in the combat engineers, then completed navigation training in the Army Air Corps. When he got his wings, he and Sally married Sept. 28, 1944. They lived happily ever after. Bob served with the 486th BG in the 8th AF in Sudbury, England, flying ten missions and serving on a lead crew on three. The crew ferried a plane to and from England. Using the GI Bill, he completed four degrees at the University of Chicago. He joined the faculty of the geography department at SIU in 1950 and became department chair in 1959. The department began a doctorate program in 1961. In 1967, he became chair at the University of Maryland. After retiring in 1989, Bob and Sally returned to Carbondale in 1991. Bob also taught during 1961-1962 at the University of Manchester, England and later at the University of Sydney, Australia; University of Durban-Westville, South Africa; and Peking University and Northwest University in China. Fulfilling an ambition to be a writer, he authored and edited geography textbooks used from second grade to the graduate level, and wrote papers on geographic education, city networks, and globalism. In retirement, he wrote a book on the Morris years at SIU, edited a book on airmen of his bomb group, and wrote several memoirs for his family. He contributed letters to the Southern and wrote articles for the SIU and University of Chicago alumni magazines. He was president of the National Council for Geographic Education, a board member of the Association of American Geographers, and secretary of the U.S. Committee of the International Geographical Union. He was on a committee for the restructuring of social studies in Cleveland schools and served as a consultant to Encyclopedia Britannica Films and others. He was honored by receiving the Professional Achievement Award from the University of Chicago and the George Miller Award from the National Council for Geographic Education. He was listed in Who's Who in America for over 30 years and in Leaders in Geographic Education. Bob was chair of the inter-university advisory committees to the Rend Lake Conservancy District and the Wabash Valley Bi-State Commission. He also chaired the Urban Assembly at Maryland and was a member of the Washington Center for Metropolitan Studies. During his career, he spoke at over 30 colleges and universities. After retirement, he twice served as president of the SIU Emeritus Association and was the State President of State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA). Active in Carbondale, he chaired the mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee and the Citizens Planning Advisory Committee. He was also on the founding board of the Boys and Girls Club, the facilities committee of the Park Board, the board of Convention and Tourism, and the Carbondale Planning Commission. At the First Methodist Church, he taught Sunday school and was on the church council, the board of trustees, and missions. In Maryland, he was on the advisory board of the Wesley Theological Seminary. In retirement, his greatest joy was Southern Illinois Learning in Retirement. He promoted its creation, served as its president, was its first newsletter editor, chaired its curriculum committee, and taught courses on many topics. He also was commander and longtime newsletter editor for the 486th Bomb Group Association, organizing two trips back to the base in Sudbury, England. In 2016, he moved to Evanston, where he joined a wonderful community at Westminster Place. At Westminster, he initiated a Learning in Retirement program and taught mini-courses on a variety of topics. He also served on the Activities Steering Committee and organized Westminster Speaks, monthly musical films, and musical evenings. Throughout his life, Bob was devoted to lifetime learning. He was the organizer of annual family reunions ‘at the beach' with his wife, Sally, and hosted the family gatherings at Christmas. He planned special 50th, 55th, 60th, 65th and 70th anniversary trips involving them all. He loved being with "the kids" and "grandkids." He loved to plan trips and travel, write, and read — and was a lifetime White Sox fan. |
Robert "Bob" Alexander Harper died on March 19, 2019, in Evanston Hospital in Evanston, following a fall the day before.