COL Robert L “Driver” German

 

 

Bob German passed away on 18 Feb 2011

Robert German, aged 84 years, of Grand Forks ND, formerly of Honolulu HI, passed away on 18 Feb 2011, at Altru Hospital, with his loving family at his side. Robert was born in Berwick PA on 29 2Aug 1926 to George and Alice Mae German. Enlisting in the USMC as a 17 year-old in 1944, Robert served as part of the occupational forces in Okinawa. Upon his discharge, he used the GI Bill to attend college and became an Army Infantry Officer upon graduation. On 17 Jun 1952, he married Beverly Cole of Bloomsburg PA and together they departed for his first assignment in Anchorage AK. Over the course of his thirty year career, Robert had many assignments, including an oversea tour in Germany, three tours in Turkey, and two tours to Vietnam, the first in 1964-1965, where he served as an advisor for the South Vietnamese Rangers and the second in 1968-1969, where he served as Battalion Commander for the 2/501st Infantry Regiment (101st ABN Div). Robert retired as a Colonel in 1982 following his last assignment at Camp Smith HI. In 1991, his beloved wife, Beverly, passed away. In 2002, Robert moved to Grand Forks ND to be closer to his grandchildren. An Eagle Scout and 33rd degree Mason, he was active in Boy Scouting and the Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospital in Honolulu HI. Robert is survived by his son, Cole (Joy) German of Memphis, Tennessee; daughter Virginia (Marvin) Regorrah of East Grand Forks, Minnesota; and grandchildren Beverly, Nadya, Tolik, Kola, Joshua, Benjamin and Riley. He was preceded in death by a  brother and a sister and his beloved wife, Beverly. A memorial service was held Wednesday, 23 Feb 2011 at 2:30 PM in Parkwood Place. Interment took place at the National Memorial Cemetery of The Pacific, Honolulu, HI.

 

The family suggests memorials be given to Parkwood Place at 749 30th St S, Grand Forks ND 58201.

 

 

Bob served with the B-2/501st in RVN 68-69

 

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