Robert E. Mallonee
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Robert E. Mallonee, 776th 6 September 2007 |
Robert E. Mallonee died on Sept. 6, 2007 at the age of 84. He was born in Wichita, Kan., on Jan. 20, 1923 to Fred E. and Frances Floyd Mallonee.
Bob graduated from East High School, attended Wichita University, then graduated from the University of Kansas in the class of 1946.
While at university, Bob joined the Sigma Chi fraternity, to which he was loyal throughout his life.
His education was interrupted by service in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Bob flew 23 sorties in the European Theater as a B-24 Group Lead Navigator in the 464th Bombardment Group. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross: "Withdrawing his crippled bomber from the main formation, Lieutenant Mallonee, with outstanding skill, directed the course of his lone aircraft again through adverse weather and around known enemy gun defended areas, for a safe return landing."
In 1952 Bob married Barbara Gene Corey of Wichita. He worked at the Coleman Company with his father and his brother, the late Floyd W. ("Bud") Mallonee, in the Mallonee Drilling Company, in sales and marketing for Beechcraft, and in commercial real estate. While in the oil business, Bob served a term as president of the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association. During his extended tenure at Beechcraft, Bob especially enjoyed sales training where he conveyed his concepts with savy and good humor.
Bob moved to Mission, Kan., in 1982. In retirement he pursued his lifelong enjoyment of economics, history, aviation, jazz and bird hunting. He especially enjoyed his membership in the Order of Quiet Birdmen. A trip to the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., was a highlight of his later life.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and a sister, Marian F. Goodrich. He is survived by his children, Jane Mallonee (Russell) Miller, of Leawood, Kan., Bruce (LeeAnn) Mallonee, of Bangor, Maine, Anne Mallonee (Anthony) Furnivall, of New York City, New York, and Lynne (Greg) Schlimm, of Washington, D.C.; his sister, Elizabeth Ann Mallonee, of Prairie Village, Kan.; his former wife, Barbara C. Mallonee, of Bangor, Maine; three grandchildren, Lindsey Miller of Lenexa, Brennan Mallonee of Boston, Mass., and Corey Mallonee, of New York City; nieces Sarah Warren, of Wichita, and Kerry Moore, of Ariz.; nephews Jay Goodrich, of Wichita, and Randall Keys, of Okla.; and long-time friend and companion, Luanne Francis, of Fairway, Kan.
Bob loved his family and he loved his friends. He was sustained by his church and his 12-step recovery program. Reading kept his mind lively. He was a funny guy and he told a good story.
A funeral was held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on Tuesday, Sept. 11. In lieu of flowers the family requested that donations be made in Bob's honor to the University of Kansas Medical School's Landon Center on Aging, at 3599 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kan., or to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Liturgical Memorial, at 6401 Wornall Terrace.