Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Robert A. Langwith

Sept. 3, 1923 - Feb. 24, 2008

 

South Bend Tribune 2/27/2008
SOUTH BEND - Robert A. Langwith, 84, of Palm Desert, CA, formerly of and a longtime resident of South Bend, passed away Sunday, February 24, 2008, in the Morningside Nursing and Memory Center. He was born on September 3, 1923, in South Bend, to the late Kenneth and Nilah (Sage) Langwith. Robert was a graduate of Riley High School.

 

Robert served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy. He served during WW II and was called back for the Korean Conflict. While in the Navy, he was assigned on the USS Quincy. On August 9, 1942, the Quincy was attacked by a large Japanese naval force during the Battle of Savo Island and sustained many direct hits, with all guns out of action, which killed 370 men including the captain and 167 men wounded. Robert was one of the survivors of that ship. Robert had been the former president of LaSalle Liquor. He was a member of Elks #235, the Morris Park Country Club and was a former member of the Masonic Lodge.

 

Robert was married to Mary Louise (Gill) Langwith, who preceded him in death in 1998. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Beverly Nelson. On November 11, 2000, he married Rosemarie Haney. He is survived by his loving family: his wife, Rosemarie of Palm Desert, CA; his three daughters, Lou-Ann Spore of South Bend, Nancy Langwith-Kirschner, DVM, and her husband, Jerry of Indianapolis, and Jeri-Lynn Langwith of South Bend; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and two sisters, Phyllis Ondra of Anchorage, Alaska, and Shirley Pelow of Arleta, California.

 

Friends may visit with his family on Thursday, February 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. In loving memory of Robert contributions may be made to either the Military Honor Park & Museum, P.O. Box 3356, South Bend, IN 46619; to the Alzheimer's Association, Northern Indiana Chapter, P.O. Box 4204, South Bend, IN 46634; or to the Alzheimer's Five Star Center, 42201 Beacon Hill, Suite A, Palm Desert, CA 92211.