Remembering WWII veteran Bob Plummer
We are deeply saddened at the passing of WWII Hero, Bob Plummer. Operation Song® had the honor of writing with Plummer in 2021, as part of our WWII Preservation Project. Songwriter David Kent was paired with him, and when asked what genre of music he liked, Plummer replied, “I’d like my song to sound like the Andrews Sisters.”
Kent did not disappoint and crafted a song that Plummer and his family are truly proud of. Please take a moment to listen to his song, “Fly Boy,” in honor of his sacrifice to a grateful nation.
Bob Plummer obituary
Robert Elmer Plummer, age 97, of Fond du Lac, was welcomed into Heaven by his wife Viv and their son Bobby on Saturday, May 20th in his home surrounded by loved ones.
Bob was born in Dubuque, Iowa on July 10th, 1925 to parents Harvey Ralph Plummer and Margaret Lucinda (Humble) Plummer. After his family moved to Wisconsin, he returned to Dubuque to finish High School while living with his grandparents.
On his 18th birthday in 1943 Bob enlisted in the draft, fulfilling his dream of taking to the skies by becoming a Flight Engineer with the Army Air Corps in World War II. Bob’s responsibilities were to keep the B-24s in tip-top shape while stationed on Morotai Island in Indonesia, flying bombing missions to Formosa. When asked if he was ever afraid, he said “No, I didn’t have time to be scared. You’re so thoroughly and intensely trained, you just can’t wait to get into action”. He did have one close call just before he was ready to come home, when a flat tire on a B-24 led to a fiery crash on the runway before takeoff. The propeller of the plane missed him by about a foot. “I thank God a million times since then that I survived” he said.
March 1, 1947 he married Delores Vivian Bohlman in St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church. After he returned from the war he worked for Kiekhaefer Mercury in the shop for 66.5 cents an hour. He also owned and operated the Standard Oil Station on 6th and Main Streets in Fond du Lac. He then returned to Mercury Marine’s MerCruiser Division retiring as National Sales Manager.
Bob played Forward for the Fond du Lac Bears Hockey Team in the late 1930’s. He also was an avid baseball player, often playing on teams in the Campbellsport area, and counted Jim Gantner and his father Elmer as close friends and teammates.
Bob continued flying his whole life, eventually purchasing his own Cessna 172 airplane. He enjoyed playing golf, even making a trip to St. Andrews Golf Course in Scotland with his brother Harvey after retirement. He was also a voracious reader, especially on history.
Those left to mourn Bob are his grandson Andrew Robert Plummer Klemish of Simi Valley, CA, granddaughter Rebecca Musser of Granite Bay, CA and her children William and Ian Musser and Andrew & Rebecca’s mother Laurie Klemish, as well as daughter-in-law and best friend, Cathy Ford of Fond du Lac. He also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews and other extended family who all adored him.
He was preceded in death by his wife Delores Vivian Plummer, son Robert Lawrence Plummer, his parents, brothers Harvey R. Plummer and his wife Florence, John W. Plummer and his wife Roberta, sister Carolle Plummer Aldrich, in-laws Jean and David Rose, Joyce and Norbert Baumhardt, Barbara and John Thelen, Lawrence Bohlman, Donald Bohlman, Darlene and Arthur Mielke.
Bob’s family invites relatives and friends for a time of visitation on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St. A funeral service will follow visitation at 11:30 AM. Burial will take place at Ledgeview Memorial Park.