Robert P. Oechsle

Robert P. Oechsle, 87, of Bethlehem, died Tuesday August 8, 2006, at the Hospice of The VNA of St. Luke?s, Lower Saucon Twp. Born, March 6, 1919, in Bethlehem; he was the son of the late Robert H. and Mary Culligan Oechsle. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, the former Gloria M. Gentile.

Robert served his country in the Air Force for 25 years before retiring in 1966 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. During WWII he fought with the 551st Bomber Squadron, acting as top turret gunner and participated in 30 missions in the European theatre, and served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Robert was employed by the Bethlehem Steel both before and after his military career. He worked for the US Postal Service and worked in the maintenance department for the BASD for 15 years, retiring in 1983. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Bethlehem and a member of the Bethlehem MORA Club. He was also a Channel 39 auction volunteer for many years.

He will be lovingly remembered by: wife, Gloria of Bethlehem; daughter, Linda Renaldi and husband Ron of Bethlehem Twp; brother, Edward Oechsle of Bethlehem; grandson, Michael P. Renaldi of Bethlehem Twp; granddaughters, Katherine Oechsle-Truesdale of Jersey City, NJ and, Courtney Oechsle of Toms River, NJ; great granddaughter, Olivia Truesdale. He was preceded in death by: son, Joseph; 2 sisters and 1 brother.

Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday August 11th in the Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem. An 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 3219 Santee Rd; Bethlehem. Visitation will be held in the funeral home from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday. Burial will be at Bethlehem Memorial Park.

Contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice of St. Luke?s, 1510 Valley Center Parkway; Bethlehem, PA 18017.