This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Robert Frank Connor, 89, answered his last call to duty on October 8, 2017. Robert (Bob to friends and family) lived a long and full life but was especially proud of his service to his country during WWII and in Korea. He was born on December 17, 1928 in Quakertown, Pennsylvania but spent most of his childhood in the Endicott-Johnson City-Binghamton area in New York. He joined the Merchant Marines when he was 16 years old, serving on board the S.S. Mission Santa Ynez, then enlisted in the Marine Corps on his 17th birthday.
He fought in the Battle of Okinawa with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines (Second Marine Division) and after the bombing of Japan, saw the devastation there firsthand. He was transferred to the U.S.S Iowa and following the end of WWII, served state-side. Upon the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, Robert was deployed to Korea, serving with the 5th Marine Regiment and fighting in the Battle of the Punch Bowl.
He was rotated out in 1951, discharged from active duty but continued to serve in the Marine Reserves until 1965, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. Robert worked as a police officer in the Endicott, New York area for 5 years, then went to work for IBM. He worked at the IBM Endicott location for several years before transferring to the IBM, Boulder location with his family in 1965. He retired from IBM following 35 years of service.
Robert is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Connor and her husband, David Gibson of Kittery Point, Maine, his son, Mikel Connor and his wife, Jeanette Luiz-Connor of Milliken, Colorado, two granddaughters, Bethany Gaul of Denver and Kyndra Connor, of Medford, Oregon, a stepdaughter, Victoria Ioerger, her husband Henry, and daughter, Valleri whom Robert regarded as a granddaughter, all of Longmont, and a stepson, Mark Howe and his wife, Lisa of Aurora.
Robert was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Howe Connor, his daughter, Kelley Connor, and his parents, Frank Connor and Alice Cook Connor.
A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 13, 2017 at Foothills Gardens of Memory. Military honors provided by American Legion Post 32, Longmont.
Charitable donations may be made to:
American Legion Post 32 Longmont
315 South Bowen Street, Longmont CO 80501
Tel: 1-303-776-2034
There's still time to send flowers to the Graveside Service at the Foothills Gardens of Memory at 1:00 PM on October 13, 2017.
Longmont Observer would like to thank Carroll-Lewellen for providing this obituary.
