OSWEGO, NY – Robert W. Ochsenbein, 89, a resident of Oswego, passed away on Masters Sunday April 12, 2015, surrounded by his family.
Born in Oswego, he was a son of the late Julius and Sophie (Zahler) Ochsenbein.
He attended Oak Hill, Fitzhugh Park and Oswego High School before leaving high school in his senior year to manage the family business, Meats and Limited Grocery Store, due to a family illness.
Mr. Ochsenbein was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army with the 507th Parachute Regiment, 17th Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division.
The division entered combat on Christmas Eve at the Battle of the Bulge and later pulled out of the Bulge to take part of the jump over the Rhine River in Wezel, Germany, which was the largest Airborne operation of World War II.
Mr. Ochsenbein served from 1943-1946 when he was honorably discharged and received Battle Stars, two Presidential Citations and two Croix de Guerre (one from Beligum and one from France).
He was employed as a meatcutter and later sold real estate for Century 21 for more than 20 years.
He also owned Barbara’s IGA Store in Fulton in the 1960s.
He was a life member of the Trinity United Methodist Church where he served as an usher, trustee and treasurer of the trustees.
He was an avid golfer who recorded three holes in ones at the Oswego Country Club.
He was an avid drag racer in the 1950s and 1960s.
Surviving are his wife of 68 years, the former Merle Bundy; a daughter, Gail Joyce of Oswego; a son, Gary (Laurie Lockwood) Ochsenbein of Mexico; three grandchildren, Gretchen (William) Hibbert, Matthew (Yenni) Schwartz and Andrew (Stephanie) Joyce; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother, Charles Ochsenbein.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. from Trinity United Methodist Church.
Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 45 E. Utica St., Oswego, NY 13126.
Arrangements are in care of the Dowdle Funeral Home.
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You don’t know me, but reading his obit was like reading another story from Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation! You must be so proud of the life your grand/dad/husband lived.
God bless you in your loss. May your memories carry you through this sad time.
Debbie
Bob was a very nice man who taught me meat cutting in the early 60’s when he was an IGA rep. I greatly admired his 57 Chevy and his Avanti. His was a life well lived. He will be challenging Peter to a heads up drag race. Gone but never to be forgotten.
A truly good man
Sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you Gail, and your family.