Robert Armond Puerner

Robert "Bob" Puerner of Monmouth, Oregon, died peacefully of cancer, surrounded by his family, in his
home on Oct 18. He was born in Fort Atkinson Wisconsin; the son of Lester and Lillian Puemer.
He was a veteran of the US Navy Reserve and entered the US Army Air Corp as it became the United States
Air Force in 1947. He served as a Radio Operator on SA-6, C-82 and C-l 19 aircraft; a Gunner on B-36
aircraft and was as an Air Commando in the 580th Air Resupply Squadron. He also served in Strategic Air
Command as a Combat Electronics Warfare Officer on B-52's during the height of the cold war; and was
selected as Air Crew of the Year. He retired in 1968 after 22 years and over 20,000 hours of flight time in
the service to his country. He was a HAM radio operator for over 40 years and often built or repaired
radios in his spare time; his call sign was KA7FXW. After retiring he became a highly accomplished Subaru
mechanic and continued tinkering in his garage until just before his death.
He is survived by his wife Janeth "Jan" of 59 years and his six children (and their spouses); Becky (Jim)
Taylor of Washington, Linda (Roy) Bridgmon of Oregon, Michael (Elena) Puerner of Arizona, Bobbi
(Tom) Boutwell of Arizona, David (Sarah) Puerner of Alaska and LeAnn Higgs of Arizona. Bob was also
the proud grandfather to thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A viewing was held on Wednesday October 20*. Bob was laid to rest with full military honors, after being
escorted by the Oregon State Chapter of the Patriot Guard, in the Willamette National Cemetery on
Thursday the 21st.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Evergreen Aviation and Space
Museum, in McMinnville, OR so that others can share in his love of planes. Donation information can be
found on their website at www.sprucegoose.org/museum/contribute .