Robert Pine

August 9, 1925 - March 9, 2011

Major Robert (Bob) Pine Robert was born August 9, 1925, in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, to Peter and Rose Pokrinchak. At age 17, not old enough to be drafted, he enlisted in the army. He served as a navigator on a B-17 bomber. He was stationed in England and flew 21 missions over Germany during WWII. On September 24, 1945, he married Dorothy, the love of his life, whom he had met at an ice rink and wooed through letters during his time overseas. After the war, Robert decided to make the Air Force his career. He served for 20 years, which included time on B-29s in Guam, service in the Strategic Air Command and a harrowing bail-out over Thule, Greenland. After retirment from the military, he worked as an air traffic controller at the Portland International Airport and was part of the crew that opened the Hillsboro control tower. Retirement didn't slow Robert down. He had a passion for golf, running, and walking. He also worked for Subaru and Safeway in Clackamas where he made many friends and cherished their pictures and stories. He was a tall and gentle man. He loved his family, willing to take time off work to not miss a game. Robert passed away March 9, 2011, at the Portland Adventist Hospital. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marie Carr. He is survived by Dorothy Pine, his wife of 65 years; five children, Robert (Pat) of Los Angeles, Mary (Larry) of Redmond, Tom of Happy Valley, David of Clackamas, Richard (Debra) of Salem; nine grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. Funeral will be Wednesday, March 16, 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Internment will be 1:00 PM at Willamette National Cemetery.