Robert William Small

MEDALS-RIBBONS: Good Conduct, American Theater Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, World War II Victory, Army of Occupation (Germany)

Private Small served in the Third Armored Artillery Battalion and fought in the Battle of the Bulge before entering German Territory and the capture of Cologne.

Bob was born in Los Angeles March 23, 1923 and died on October 6, 2010.  Bob was always curious and liked to figure out how things worked.  When he was about 10 years old he took his father’s watch apart and put it back together.  In 1942 Bob was assigned to Service Command Unit; Special Technical Schools as a Radio Mechanic at the Presidio of San Francisco, CA.  On June 7, 1943 he was called to active duty. He served in the Army and was a World War II Veteran.  He served in Germany and at the Battle of the Bulge. After he returned from the war, he married Bernadette Ann Courtois.  They Moved to Kerman, CA where Bob worked as a Radio Engineer for KMJ. They later moved to Fresno and in 1961 Bob became self-employed as an electrical contractor until his retirement.  He served as a volunteer in the ER at St. Agnes Hospital for 13 years.  He is remembered for his humor, compassion and friendliness.  Bob and Bernadette have four children, Gene, Genevieve (Judy), Deborah and Robert.  There are five grandchildren: Amy, Clint, Megan, Jennifer, and Sarah, and 4 great-grandchildren: Ryan, Matthew, Taylor and Elle.