Obituary

Robert E. "Bob" Vass Sr.
(May 1, 1925 - May 1, 2014)

ROBERT E. (BOB) VASS, SR., 88, of Huntington, passed away May 1 in St. Mary’s Medical Center. He is survived by his loving wife Margaret. He was the son of the late Frank and Kathryn Perdue Vass. He was also preceded in death by his sister Patricia Sale. He is survived by his children Robert E. Vass, Jr. (Elizabeth),  Robin Beth Vass Lutz, Frank McIntosh Vass and Molly Vass Lehman (Rob), step-sons Jerry Smith and Michael Smith (Kathy). Also surviving are his brother Richard Perdue Vass and his wife Carol, brother-in-law Jack Sale, grandchildren Robert E. Vass, 111, Lisa Kathryn Burke (Michael), Trey Vass (Jaime), Rowdy Vass, Joey Vass, Laura Heath Vass, Heath McIntosh Vass, step-grandchildren Bridget Runyon (Lee), Kyle Smith, Matt Smith (Jana), Molly Cassidy, Betsy Champlin (Chris) and Carrie Sun (Joe) and fourteen great grandchildren. He will also be greatly missed by close family friend Verity Callender. Bob was born May 30, 1925. Upon graduation from Huntington High School in 1943 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a combat aerial gunner on B-17’s in the Eighth Air Force until the end of the War achieving the rank of sergeant. He then returned to Huntington and enrolled at Marshall College. He then spent over 20 years in the automobile and other businesses. Bob then through his Veterans activities became devoted to American Legion Post 16 where he served in various capacities rising to Post Commander. From there he was elected Department (State) Commander in 1978. He was then elected to the National Executive Committee. At that time he was the only Legionnaire to hold the above State and National offices in succession, serving as National Vice-Commander. In 1981 he was appointed to the office of Adjutant of the American Legion, Department of West Virginia. Bob served for 13 years as Chairman of the West Virginia Veterans Council, working with our Governors and our Congressional leadership in Washington, DC. He was a member of the Deans Committee (Marshall University/Huntington VA Medical Center). He was very active with Central Christian Church serving as an Elder and also as Chairman of its Official Board and Pulpit Committee. He was elected as a commissioner of the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District and served a term as President.  Visitation will be Sunday from 4 until 7 p.m. at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary.  Funeral Services will be at Central Christian Church at 2 p.m. Monday, May 5, 2014, officiated by Reverend Kevin Snow. Following services burial with Military Honor Guard will be at Spring Hill Cemetery.