| Notes |
- Obituary appearing on "Find a Grave":
"Bernard Francis McRoberts
Birth: Oct. 3, 1918
Springfield
Sangamon County
Illinois, USA
Death: Oct. 9, 2007
Illinois, USA
BERNARD F. McROBERTS
Born: Oct. 3, 1918; in Springfield
Died: Oct. 9, 2007
He shared a rich family history
BATAVIA - Bernard Francis McRoberts, of Batavia, died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007.
He died with quiet dignity, sweetness and humor, the way he lived his life.
He was a husband, brother and beloved uncle, great-uncle and great-great-uncle to many nieces and nephews. Whether you were 5 or 50, Uncle Nard treated you with the same respect and love. One felt important and beautiful in his presence. His wry sense of humor was legend, and he could see the positive in whatever life presented.
"Merry Mac" was his nickname during the time that he worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C. When World War II began, he did not have to enlist because of his FBI work. However, when Pearl Harbor was bombed and his brother, Howard, was wounded in the attack, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. All of his five brothers, Nicholas, James Howard, William, Richard and Joseph, joined the military. At the time, a newspaper columnist from Springfield called them "The Sons of Springfield in the Service to Save Civilization!"
He arrived in a war-torn Italy, taking pictures and telling stories of his adventures. Because he loved history and saved everything, he left behind a rich history of stories and photographs that are sad and often humorous. He proudly served in the Army Air Corps as a radio operator and waist gunner in a B-24. Often a target, he completed 27 missions and was honorably discharged with an Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Participant Medal, European- African- Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Air Crew and Gunnery Wings.
Several years later, he was recalled to the armed forces and joined the Navy Air Force to work to rescue pilots. He said, "Now that got very exciting because I did not know how to swim."
Upon arriving home, he went to work as an air-traffic controller in Cleveland and then in Washington, D.C. Being single, he often visited his sister, Corinne Albright, and her husband, John, and their 10 children in Batavia.
His nieces' and nephews' hearts overflow with magical memories of his visits, introducing them to pizza, green olives, silver dollars and a tape recorder, letting them steer his car, telling funny stories delivered in his deep, droll voice, but, most of all, his incredible ability to treat each one as if they were the most important person in the world.
At the age of 44 he met Ruth Krimsky, a concert pianist who became his wife. They eventually moved to Virginia Beach, Va., and lived a very happy life.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Nicholas "Chick" and James Howard McRoberts.
He lovingly is survived by his sister, Corinne Albright of Batavia, and his brothers, William McRoberts of Silver Spring, Md., Richard McRoberts of Springfield, and Joseph McRoberts of Winter Springs, Fla.
"Uncle Nard" will be remembered with devotion and cherished by his nieces and nephews, Eileen Krimsky, Karen Krimsky, Ellen Krimsky, Sean Montague, Andrea White, Laurie Grove, Debbie Marqui, John Albright, Ted Albright, Felicity Albright, Frances Miles, Corinne Mary Albright, Abigail Ehrhardt, Colleen McRoberts, Nicky McRoberts (deceased), Joseph McRoberts, David McRoberts, Christopher McRoberts, Rebecca Matthys, Twyla Drury, Angela Beck, Sandra McRoberts Boberg, Susan McCarthy, Sharon Turley, Mary Alice Walsh, Dennis McRoberts, Paul McRoberts, Kathleen Woodman, Maritza Godfrey and Sonia McRoberts. His great and great-great nieces and nephews will know him through many wonderful memories and stories.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Hands of Hope, c/o Laurette Grove, 415 S. Fifth St., Geneva, IL 60134.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Friday, Nov. 2, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Camp Butler National Cemetery, 5063 Camp Butler Road, Springfield, 217-492-4070.
Arrangements are by Norris Funeral Home, St. Charles.
For information, call the funeral home at 630-584-2000 or visit www.NorrisFH.com.
Please sign the guest book at www.KCChronicle.com/obits
Published in the Kane County Chronicle on 10/12/2007."
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Connected Bloodlines
1918 - 2007 (89 years)
