Robert Lee Black (Bobby) passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 29, 2019, at the age of 95.  Bobby was born in Alderson, West Virginia on September 7, 1923 to William Thomas Black and Edith Carrie Boyd Black. He had one sister, Kathleen, and two brothers Harold and Ted. Bobby graduated from Alderson High School in 1941.  He was active in the band, playing first chair trumpet, a great basketball player, and also loved playing baseball and football.  Later in life he fell in love with the game of tennis and continued to play until the age of 80. 

Bobby enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1942 and served in the 349^th Squadron of the 100^th Bomb Group based in Thorpe Abbotts England.  Tsgt Black and his B-17 crew were shot down over Germany on May 24, 1944. He was one of 3 survivors of a crew of 10 and spent a year in Stalag Luft III as a German POW.  He was among the American fliers liberated by elements of 3^rd Army at Moosberg.  He was also awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Service Medal.

After returning from the war, he enrolled in West Virginia Tech earning a B.S. degree in Business.  He married the love of his life, Dorothy, in 1949 and accepted a position with Select Magazines of New York City as sales manager in Newport News, Virginia.  A promotion moved him and his family to Raleigh, North Carolina and another promotion to Sales Manager for the Southeastern United States relocated him to Atlanta, Georgia. While in Atlanta he served as a Deacon at Morningside Presbyterian Church.   Another promotion would send Bobby and his family to San Francisco, California.  After 35 years of employment, he retired and became a long time resident of Hendersonville, North Carolina. 

Bobby was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, his parents and his brothers and sister.  He leaves behind the family who adored him;  Children Betsy Arnold (Jim) Midland, Georgia, Robb Black Hendersonville, North Carolina, Carrie Cunningham (Roger) Rohnert Park, California. Grandchildren Matthew Hopper (Natasha) Ellerslie, Georgia,  Daniel Lee Hopper (Brooke) Hamilton, Georgia, Jason Decker, Rohnert Park, California,  Brett Decker (Cecilia) Hong Kong, China , Tara Decker, Rohnert Park, California.  Great Grandchildren  Austin Hopper, Justin Hopper, Jordan Decker, Sofia Quirion and Adrian Baily. 

He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and husband .  A man who loved God, his family and his country.  A true patriot, flying his beautiful American flag in his yard and tearing up every time he heard our National Anthem.  A man who taught his children to love and respect all people, a man of integrity, instilling in his children a strong work ethic and a strong sense of right and wrong.  An honest, happy man, Bobby was always looking for a way to help others.   He was our soldier, our leader, our advisor and our Daddy who loved us unconditionally.  He is where he has wanted to be since the day of our mother’s passing 4 years ago, with her and with the God he loved.  This thought brings us comfort as a family and helps us to be happy for him in the midst of our heartache and grief. 

A private graveside service will be held at a later date in the beautiful hometown he and mother loved so much, Alderson, West Virginia.