Robert Esq.

Robert Wm. Garland, Esq., 90, died Monday, July 11, 2011. Bob was born April 6, 1921, in Jeannette, the son of William and Ida Mae Garland, of Jeannette. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Dorothy (Kingan) Garland; his six children: daughters, Summer (Duffy) Friedlander, Colleen (David) Robinson and Holly (Ken Ficerai) Garland, and sons, Gregory (Mardi) Garland, Timothy Garland and Robert (Margie) Garland; 13 grandchildren, Gregory and Stephen Garland, Ryan and Max Friedlander, Gabriella, Caleb and Noah Ficerai-Garland, Oliver, Dominick, Luke and Kipp Robinson and Robert and Thomas Garland; his sister, Jean Lackey, of Boaz, Ala.; and his dog, Willy. He was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Ruth (Paul) Smail. Bob graduated from Jeannette High School , the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Law School. He was a decorated World War II veteran who enlisted in the Air Cadets in June 1942, when he was an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh . As a navigator in the 436th Troop Carrier group, a part of the Ninth Air Force, Bob helped transport troops to the Invasion of Normandy, to Utah Beach , to the Invasion of Southern France in Operation Anvil and to Operation Market Garden, the Rhine River Assault in September 1944. He also helped land supplies to General Patton's 3rd Army and transported wounded in need of medical assistance. In recognition of his bravery and distinguished service, Bob was awarded the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf clusters, the European/African Campaign Ribbon with seven battle stars and the 436th Presidential Unit Citation. After receiving an honorable discharge from the service, Bob completed his undergraduate degree, graduating magna cum laude and went on to obtain his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1951, where he served on the University of Pittsburgh Law Review . Bob was the solicitor for the city of Jeannette for a number of years and practiced law in Westmoreland County with the law firm Walthour and Garland until he retired in 2004. He was a member of the Westmoreland and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the Pennsylvania Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth Courts. Throughout his life and his career, Bob was known as a man who loved God, his family and his country. He was a true gentleman respected for his intelligence, courtesy, patience, integrity, legal acumen and gentle demeanor. There will be no public viewing. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph 's Chapel ( Bishop Connare Center ), Route 30, Greensburg . Everyone please go directly to church. Private interment to follow. Full military service will be accorded by the VFW Post No. 33. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or Redstone Highlands of Greensburg. KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME of Greensburg entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.

---