Robert Arthur Filby

Robert Arthur Filby was born July 28, 1923, at Junction City, Kansas, the son of William McKinley and Nora Enola (Stebbins) Filby. Robert moved to Ottawa from Junction City, Kansas in 1939. Following his years in the military, he moved to Maryland Heights, Missouri in 1976, and Collierville, Tennessee in 2000, where he made his home until his death Thursday, November 4, 2004, at the age of eighty-one years. Robert graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1941; was a four-year graduate of George Washington University; attended the University of Hawaii; and earned his master's degree from Columbia University. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on September 15, 1942, retiring a Colonel on December 31, 1974. Colonel Filby was a flying sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was in several European campaigns as a pilot. He earned a battlefield commission while with the 36th Infantry Division. He later became one of the Army's first helicopter pilots. Most of his army career was in aviation and aviation maintenance. He was chief of aircraft maintenance of the 7th Corps and the U.S. Army headquarters in Europe; chief of the flight test division for the Transportation Research and Engineering Command at Ft. Eustis, VA; and commanded two aviation battalions. He spent a year with TransWorld Airlines studying industrial engineering and depot maintenance and attended the Command and General Staff College in 1962-63. He earned the Army Commendation Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Air Medal, (1st and second Oak Leaf Cluster), Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Master Army Aviator Badge, National Defense Service Medal, (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (lst Award), Meritorious Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), four Overseas Bars, Normandy Campaign, Northern France Campaign, Rhineland Campaign, Central Europe Campaign, and Consolidation I Campaign. He served as President of the Army Aviation Association in St. Louis, Missouri. He enjoyed camping, boating and, especially, flying. On November 17, 1943, Robert was united in marriage with Aileen Lucille Crawford at Ottawa, Kansas. She preceded him in death January 12, 1997. He is also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, William and Steve Filby. He is survived by two daughters, Elaine Stout of Villa Ridge, MO, Linda Filby of Collierville, TN; two sons, Richard Filby of Topeka, KS, Charles Filby of St. Louis, MO; two grandsons, Brian Stout, Timothy Filby; three granddaughters, Kristine Nemecek, Terissa Rothman, Jennifer Filby; two great-grandsons, Spencer Nemecek, Ethan Stout; and sister, Betty Scott of Ottawa, KS. SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held at the Dengel & Son Mortuary, 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 9, 2004. Military graveside services by the Fort Riley Honor Guard at Highland Cemetery to immediately follow the services. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Donald Scott IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Filby after 5 p.m. Monday at the Dengel & Son Mortuary until the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8 Monday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.