Robert C. “Bob” Bittinger, 83, of Gainesville, Ga., went into the arms of the Lord on December 21, 2016, and is no longer in pain. He was in hospice care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville.
Bob was born on his grandfather’s farm near Dayton, Pa., to the late Clinton and Clara Mae (Barrett) Bittinger on July 31, 1933. The family later moved to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and Bob graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1951 and from Kent State University in 1955.
He married Geraldine Banovich in 1954 in Youngstown, Ohio. They had two children: Colleen Bittinger, of Atlanta, Ga., and Kenneth R. (Sharon) Bittinger, of Marietta, Ga. They survive him. Bob and Geraldine, now Geraldine Taylor, divorced in 1991.
In 1994, Bob married Patricia “Pat” Rouse in Atlanta. She survives him.
Bob is also survived by a step-daughter, Deena (Brett) Walter, Atlanta; four grandchildren, Daniel K. (Lisa) Bittinger, of Marietta; Kaitlin (Matthew) Ecie, of Smyrna; Dylan and Sidney Walter, of Atlanta. Other survivors include a brother John “Jack” (Janet) Bittinger, Phoenix, Arizona; an aunt, Jane (Barrett) Kimpel, 98, of Sun City, Arizona. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive him.
Bob lived a life of service to his country, his neighbors, friends and family and, in later years, to homeless animals.
He received his commission in the Army in December, 1955, and entered active duty in April 1956. He started flight training in February, 1957, and graduated that fall. After 18 moves serving at U.S. bases -- and overseas in Korea, Thailand, Vietnam (twice), and Germany -- he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service. His military specialty was Aviation Logistics (Aircraft Maintenance and Supply). He served aviation command tours in Vietnam and served as Director of Aviation Logistics in Europe for 3 1/2 years.
His military honors and citations include: Master Army Aviator Wings; Distinguished Flying Cross; six Bronze Star Medals; 11 Air Medals; two Meritorious Service Medals; two Army Commendation Medals; three Meritorious Unit Citations; the National Defense Service Medal; two Vietnam Service Medals; and two Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry. Bob was awarded Thai Master Aviator Wings by King Bhumipol (for contributions to Thai aviation and transportation.) As the only qualified helicopter test pilot in Thailand, Bob was asked to assist in performing several test flights on the king’s personal helicopter, a Boeing-Vertol 107, which was not part of the U.S. military assistance program.
After retirement from the Army, Bob worked for Komatsu America Corp. in parts distribution for heavy-construction equipment. He was national parts manager from 1976 to 1991, overseeing parts-distribution centers in Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Hayward, California. After retirement from Komatsu, he worked for the Environmental Protection Agency as a contractor in the Emergency Response Center in Atlanta from 1991 to 2006.
Since 1993, Bob’s major passion and pastime was dog rescue. He started volunteering with Georgia Friends of Animals, then moved to Small Dog Rescue, founded by Brenda Kyle in 1994. He served in many capacities with SDR. Bob was well-known for his kindness and tireless presence every Saturday at SDR adoption events. He loaded the van and drove dozens of dogs from the SDR shelter and his home to the afternoon events in Atlanta. Then he safely drove home those dogs still awaiting adoption and cleaned the truck and all the dogs’ crates. He created loving, lifelong relationships with SDR volunteers, forever families and their beloved adopted dogs.
Over the years, he and Pat fostered more than 1,000 rescue dogs and puppies in their Lake Lanier home. They adopted seven special-needs dogs: his beloved Gittel, Wheaties, Pigman, Lou, Lily, Molly and Riley.
The Bittinger home is a favorite gathering place, on holidays and other occasions, for dozens of Small Dog Rescue volunteers and their families, as well as adoptive families. The Bittingers hosted many people over the years who are all deeply grateful to be part of the “SDR Family.”
Bob followed and loved the Cleveland Browns and Indians. He was also a good navigator and transferred his passion for flying to a love of boating on Lake Lanier.
A military funeral is planned at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. A celebration-of-life service for Bob will be conducted on Saturday, January 7, at 2 p.m., at Roswell Presbyterian Church Historic Sanctuary, 755 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell, Ga., by Dr. Bill Nisbet, retired Army chaplain. A reception will follow.
The family would like to express deepest thanks for support and care from the staff of Five South and Hospice at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s honor would be appreciated for Fighting for Dawn Rescue and Senior Sanctuary at Fighting for Dawn, 425 CR 1123, Gassville, Arkansas, 72635, fightingfordawn.com and Atlanta Weimaraner Club Rescue, PMB 258, 3330 Cobb Parkway, Suite 324, Acworth, Georgia, 30101, atlantalovesweims.org.
Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home in Gainesville is handling the arrangements.
