Robie, George F.

Description

George F. Robie was born on Oct. 10, 1916, in Aspinwall, Penn. to George Robie Sr. and Blanche Elizabeth (Hillard) Robie. He was raised and educated in PA with his sisters and two brothers John and Fred. George was a graduate of Oklahoma University. In Rye his family lived at 13 Rosemere Street and were members of the Presbyterian Church.

George served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a major in the 17th Airborne.

The 17th Airborne Division, known as the “Golden Talons,” was a major paratrooper and glider-borne formation of the United States Army that fought in the European Theater during World War II. It is most notable for its role in Operation Varsity, which remains the largest single-day airborne operation in military history.

The Battle of the Bulge: The 17th first saw combat in late December 1944 when it was flown into France and Belgium to reinforce Allied lines during the German Ardennes Offensive. They were instrumental in the relief of Bastogne and engaged in heavy fighting at “Dead Man’s Ridge”.

Operation Varsity: On March 24, 1945, the division conducted its first and only combat jump. Along with the British 6th Airborne, they dropped more than 16,000 troops east of the Rhine River near Wesel, Germany. This successful operation effectively destroyed the final remnants of German resistance west of the Rhine and paved the way for the advance into northern Germany.

George served overseas with the 17th Airborne from August 1944 until November 1945. He was honorably discharged February 12, 1946.

He married Charline Roberts on June 2, 1946, in Jasper, Ala. The bride’s gown was made from the parachute which the groom had used when he jumped into combat over the Rhine as a major with the 17th Airborne. George was then employed in Phillips, Tex.

For many years he worked for Phillips Petroleum Company as a plant supervisor. He was a long standing member of First Presbyterian Church in Borger.

George F. Robie, 92, of Little Rock, Ark., formerly of Borger, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, at Presbyterian Village Health Care Center in Little Rock, Ark.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Charline Robie on May 20, 1994, two sisters, one brother, and one grandchild.

Survivors included two sons, Dr. George F. Robie Jr. and wife Carol of Elk City, Okla. and Dick Robie and wife Barbara of Lake Jackson, one daughter Patty Snider and husband Dan of Little Rock, Ark., one brother John Robie of Hampstead, N.H., one sister Margaret Claire of Palmyra, N.Y., 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services were held March 2, 2009 at Brown’s Chapel of the Fountains in Borger. Burial followed at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa.