Robert C. MacIntyre, a Proud Combat Veteran of WWII, age 89, died on Sunday, June 21, 2015 at home.
He was born in Fond du Lac on March 18, 1926 to the late Edward and Constance (Campbell) MacIntyre. After graduating from Fond du Lac High School, he joined the Army in June of 1944. After basic training he was sent to Europe, where he served with the #635th Tank Destroyer Battalion. They fought in Belgium, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Austria. There were four events that were very important to Bob. The first was the rescue of 300 women from Poland, Belgium, France, Russia, Czechoslovakia and Hungary, who had been forced to work in German factories. The second was the crossing of the Rhine River into Germany on March 8, 1945 on the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. Their tank unit crossed 28 hours after the first Americans, while the bridge was still under fire from the German Army. The tank unit joined the XX CORPS (called the ghost corps by the Germans) commanded by General Walter H. Walker. The third was the opening of the Gunkirchen Concentration Camp near Lambach, Austria on May 4, 1945, where Jewish, Academics, and political prisoners were held. Their tank was the second to break through the guard fence. The guards had fled and the prisoners rejoiced at the coming of the Americans. The condition of the prisoners was reprehensible. Their group gave them all the food that they had with them. The fourth was their 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion went the farthest East of any American troops. On VE day they crossed the Inns River at Linz and partied with the Russian troops for 3 days.
After returning home he joined his family’s heating and air conditioning business. He married Hope Greene on March 18, 1952. After retiring he worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield until 2005. His hobbies were refinishing furniture and training golden retrievers. Bob enjoyed helping family and friends and visiting nursing homes. He was an active member of the Fond du Lac Running Club. He participated in many of the activities and completed two triathlons and Al’s Run held in Milwaukee.
He is survived by his wife, Hope; daughter, Pamela (Cole) Vollmer of Oakfield, WI; son, Robert MacIntyre of Florida; sisters: Leslie MacIntyre of WI, Nancy Oestreich of MT; four grandchildren: Brandon Ruehl, Colton, Shelby and Dalton Vollmer, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three sisters, Jean (Dean) Grennell, Kathryn Neanhouse, and Alice Ann MacIntyre, two sons, Ryan Curtis and Douglas Jan MacIntyre.
The Memorial Service will be on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Maple Crest Funeral Home. Friends and family may gather on Thursday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral. Burial of ashes will be in the Rienzi Cemetery in Fond du Lac. Memorials are appreciated to the DAV, Disabled American Veterans.