Robert J. Bigelow

Robert (Bob) Joseph Bigelow, 92, of Cheyenne was called by the Lord to join his wife of 68 years on April 22, 2019 in Cheyenne, WY.
In Paris, Mississippi Eula Box Bigelow gave birth to twins on August 19, 1926. Bob & Ralph were less than 10 ounces each at the time of birth and were not expected to survive. Sleeping in a dresser drawer for their first 3 months in a bed of cotton balls the boys had to be touched very gently to keep their skin from peeling off. They were bathed with cotton swabs and then had baby oil spread on them as was the practice at that time.
Both boys survived and became sailors during WWII. Bob was assigned to the USS New York (BB34) where he would serve in the Pacific Theatre until after the war ended mustering out in 1946. Bob went home to Memphis, Tennessee where he found the love of his life Margaret (Ann) Ann Bird. They were married July 15, 1949 and raised 4 children (Cathy Ann, Wayne Allen, Randy Joe and Chris Carl).
Bob would rejoin the military in early 1947, this time the Army Air Corp, and would be among the first members of the United States Air Force. He would serve in the Air Force until 1977 when he retired at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. He would have overseas tours in Korea, Japan, Turkey and Vietnam with state side tours in Washington, South Carolina and Delaware.
Bob, Ann and Chris would move to Raynesford, Montana after retiring and build a log cabin on 10 acres where Bob and Ann would live for the next 16 years. In 1993 they would move to Cheyenne, Wyoming where they would spend the remainder of their lives.
While stationed in Washington Bob would be raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. He would remain a Mason for the rest of his life joining the Shriners, York Rite, Scottish Rite and finally becoming a 33rd degree Mason. He was recently recognized by the Veterans Administration for over 10,000 hours of volunteer service at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center through the Masonic Services Association.
Bob was a member of the Evangelical Free Church of Cheyenne, lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Wyoming Branch #59 of the Fleet Reserve Association and many other civic organizations. He was an active participant and office holder in every organization he joined.
Bob was preceded in the journey to Heaven by both his parents, his brother and his wife. He is survived by his sister Kathaline of Memphis, TN and his children Cathy (Scott) Collins and Randy (Cristy) both of Cheyenne, WY, Wayne (Patsy) of Berryville, AR and Chris (Kristan) of Flat Rock, NC. Along with numerous Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.
At Bob’s request there will be no public services. “In Memory of” donations may be made to the Shrine Hospital for Children. God bless Bob and God bless America.