Robert "Bob" J. Spring

Robert “Bob” J. Spring, 94, of Middlefield, OH passed away peacefully Sunday midday, September 15th, 2019 at Briar Hill Healthcare Residence in Middlefield. He was born in Cleveland, OH on Jul 10th, 1925 to the late John and Olga (Begalke) Spring. Bob is once again reunited with his loving wife of 60 years, Mercedes Burke, who died in 2007.

He was a U.S. Army Air Force Veteran in World War II; a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner on a B-29 Bomber in the South Pacific. Bob flew 35 missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement on a bombing mission against Kobe, Japan in June 1945. His WWII diary is attached below or it can be viewed online by visiting http://b-29.org and selecting on the left column, “73rd Bomb Wing”; then under “497th Bomb Group”; select “The Diary of a 73rd BW Tailgunner – Bob Spring”.

Bob was an entrepreneur: had a business doing plumbing, electrical, and water pump services; installed and poured seamless flooring; drove a truck in the 1950s for Ohio Bell; and an auto mechanic.

He liked woodworking: built 2 homes for his own family and helped others build/remodel their houses.

Bob enjoyed having parties - - - entertaining with Polka/Big Band music, campfires, games, magic/card tricks, and tractor rides. He also liked going on Sunday drives, and taking his family on vacation.

He will be dearly missed by his 3 daughters: Karen Kuske, Janet (Buzz) Sindelar, Linda (John) Maher; and his 2 grandchildren, Lee Maher and Halle Maher.

Bob is preceded in death by: his parents, wife, brother – John, and sister, Marge Thiel.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 4 P.M., SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, 2019 AT BEST FUNERAL HOME, 15809 MADISON RD., MIDDLEFIELD, OH 44062. Family and friends will be received from 2 P.M. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to either: Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110, www.hospicewr.org or to the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, https://www.cleveland.va.gov/giving/E_Donate.asp.

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