Robert J. Anspach

Lt. Col (USAF Ret) Robert J. Anspach, age 86 passed away Tuesday, May 19th after a long illness. Mr. Anspach is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Betty; two daughters, Allison Annon (Fred) of Ormond Beach and Kimberly Pontillo (Salvatore) of Valrico; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Born in Milwaukee, WI, Bob spent most of his childhood in Charleston, WV until joining the Army Air Corps in 1942. Making the Air Force a 27 year career, Lt. Col. Anspach served as a fighter pilot in WWII and Korea and also served in Vietnam prior to retiring in 1969. In 1944, he became part of "Watson's Whizzers", a select group of seven pilots responsible for capturing the Luftwaffe's advanced jet aircraft and flying them back from Germany, thus bringing America into the jet age. After retirement and upon achieving his Masters of Education at Rollins College, he taught math at Cherokee and Liberty Middle Schools for over 20 years. Bob was also a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM on Saturday, May 23, 2009 in the Chapel of Newcomer Funeral Home, 895 S. Goldenrod Road, Orlando. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Comforter, 480 W. Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714.