Bobby Eugene Wirt

Bobby Eugene Wirt [Bob], age 85, died peacefully on Monday evening, June 5, 2017, at The Crossings At Blacksburg and entered into his Eternal home in Heaven to a sweet and glorious reunion with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his Heavenly family and friends after a long illness of Alzheimer’s Disease and Congestive Heart Failure.

He was preceded in death by his parents William Eugene and Minnie Era [Eanes] Wirt; wife, Ingeborg Martha Johanna Wirt of Germany and America; wife, Waltraud Magdalene Annaliese Wirt of Germany and America; son, Ronald Lee Wirt; brother, Henry Edward Wirt; brother-in-law, Rev. Dr. George William Barnes; infant nephew, Derek Wayne Wirt [son of Don and Wanda Wirt].

Left to cherish his memory: sister, Barbara Jean Barnes; brother, James Lloyd [Elizabeth] Wirt; brother, Donald Lee [Wanda] Wirt; brother, Allen Insley Wirt; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and close friend, Connie B. Dudding and her family.

Upon graduation from Christiansburg High School in 1949, he joined the United States Air Force in 1950 and served our Country in the military for 22 1/2 years retiring in 1973 earning the rank of SMSGT. He was stationed at Headquarters, United States Air Force, Europe, located at Lindsey Air Station, Wiesbaden, Germany, and United States Air Force Ramstein Air Base, Germany, while also being deployed to Italy and Vietnam. He was awarded The Bronze Star Medal in Vietnam by Brigadier General Bryce Poe for meritorious service while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force in Vietnam from July 8, 1969, to July 8,1970. Prior to his departure from Vietnam, he was also awarded the Vietnamese Air Force Medal for his advice and assistance to them during the same period. He received many other awards and commendations during his military career for his dedication in his service to our Country. Early in his military career, he served 1 tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Station in Roanoke, VA.

He was a very friendly, giving, loving, kind, and generous person. He was a life long member of Cambria Baptist Church. After retiring from the USAF, he moved back to Christiansburg and worked as custodian at the Church for many years. He loved his Lord, his Church, his job, and the many friendships he made there over the years.

Words cannot express our family’s thanks and appreciation to the staff at The Crossings At Blacksburg and to Medi Home Health and Hospice staff and volunteers for their excellent tender loving care, kindness, and compassion shown to Bob while a patient in the Harmony Square Memory Care section at The Crossings. Heartfelt thanks also to Medi Home Health and Hospice staff for their Veteran Pinning Ceremony party for Bob at The Crossings on May 3, 2017, with family and friends attending and U.S. Navy Officers Kelly J.S. Gilbert and Dan J. Angle who presented him with a lapel flag pin and certificate to honor and acknowledge his years of military service and sacrifices.

Special Thanks to Dr. Scott R. Boerth MD and his staff, and Dr. Daniel A. Osimani MD and his staff for their excellent care of Bob over the years.

The Funeral Service will be held in the Horne Funeral Chapel on Friday, 12 o’clock noon with the Rev. Terry A. Ross officiating. Visitation with family and friends will be held 1 hour prior to the service at 11:00. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg. Many, many thanks to the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Honor Guard, Goldsboro, NC for performing the military graveside rites to honor Bob’s military service to the United States of America.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Medi Home Health & Hospice, 336 N. Washington Avenue, Pulaski, VA 24301 in memory of Bob.