Robert P. (Bob) Mellinger, 97. Maitland, FL, Friday, July 17, 2020.

Robert was born December 22, 1922 in Pittsburgh, PA the son of Paul and Ann (Sigworth) Mellinger. The family moved to Youngstown, Ohio when Bobby was just 2 years old. Even though his family had recently built a new house the Great Depression sent them back to the family farm in rural Venus, Pennsylvania. They shared a home with grandparents and extended family and Bobby attended a one-room school as the only 5th grade student! When his father finally found work again they moved back to Youngstown where Bob graduated in 1940 from Woodrow Wilson High School. He was employed by the Ohio Bell Telephone Co. before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. Trained initially as an aircraft mechanic; his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps took him to Africa and Italy as a B-24 tail-gunner with the 376th HBG of the 15th Air Force. He flew 51 combat missions. In September 1945 Bob returned to his family in Youngstown and his job with Ohio Bell. One day, while working in nearby Columbiana, Ohio, he met Helen Pregenzer. They were married on June 4, 1948. Bob was an active member and officer in The American Legion and the Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary for many years as well as the Boy Scouts of America. In 1966 Ohio Bell transferred Bob to East Liverpool, OH where they lived until his retirement in 1979. The Mellingers enjoyed many active years of retirement, spending their summers in East Liverpool and winters in Orlando from 1980-2009. In June of 2012 they moved to Maitland, FL to be near family.

During his retirement Bob was a private pilot and was very active with the AOPA and EAA. He owned and flew a vintage Ercoupe during those years. He traveled to numerous fly-ins and airshows in OshKosh, WI and Lakeland, FL as well as reunions with the 376th Bomb Group. From his youth Bob enjoyed tinkering on anything with an engine, and even worked on a pit crew at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway once. He always loved building things, from model planes to wood crafting and blacksmithing. We never hired help to fix anything and when we added a 3-story addition to our Youngstown house he acted as contractor and worked alongside them for most of the project. Bob was a gun owner and excellent marksman, ham radio operator, and CB enthusiast. He was an avid reader and a lifelong learner.

Robert was preceded in death by Helen, his wife of 66 years (2015), and his daughter-in-law Julia (2017). His son James lives in Houston, TX. His daughter, June Yarborough (Cecil) lives in Altamonte Springs, FL. Grandsons Joshua Yarborough, Daniel Yarborough (Wendi), Jacob Yarborough (Sarah), and three great-grandchildren also live in the Central Florida area.

Family and friends may gather to remember a life well lived and to scatter his ashes some time in 2021.

A memorial gift may be given in honor of S/Sgt. Robert Mellinger to:
Operation Restored Warrior - Helping Veteran Warriors Find Healing & Freedom

https://newhorizonsfoundation.com/waystodonate?pid=51-operation-restored-warrior&Itemid=105