George Robert Blitch

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Austin American Statesman on January 24, 2012:

Play ball! Bob joined the team line-up in Austin, Texas, at St. David's Hospital on Halloween 1931, as the son of Estelle and George Blitch. First inning took him from Austin to Baytown to Arlington to Tyler schools. Second inning included Tyler High School, the University of Texas, and the United States Military Academy at West Point. Following graduation in 1955, he married his team manager for the next 56 plus years, Mary Boles. Third inning: As a member of the United States Air Force, he traveled the world with SAC flying KC-97's, including North Africa and US stations, stopping at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio, at AFIT for his Master's in Aeronautical Engineering. He then worked in Foreign Technology. Three rookies joined the team - his daughters Mindy, Betsy, and Laurie. Fourth inning: Bob worked for NASA in Washington, D.C. as Systems Analyst in the Gemini and Apollo missions. Fifth inning: Bob returned to Austin, Texas to work for UT. He fielded the 107" reflector telescope at the McDonald Observatory and hit a homer by helping create the Ozark Regional Development Program. He served as V.P. for Academic Research. Sixth inning: In 1975, Mary traded Bob's contract with UT so he was in the line-up for Skandinavia Contemporary Interiors, the business Mary opened in 1971 as Shop in Denmark. Bob worked with Jake Pickle during this time to achieve Port of Entry status for Austin. They retired in 2006. Seventh inning: Mary and Bob continued their world travels and built a new house during the seventh inning stretch. Eighth inning: Bob enjoyed everything that he loved - crossword puzzles, brainteasers, bowling, fishing, good coffee, Jeopardy!, family, theatre, more travel with Mary, and BASEBALL. Ninth inning: Opened with three curve balls for strikes - emphysema, cancer, and pneumonia. But the game ended with Bob hitting one out of the park, into the wild blue yonder, to join the Long Gray Line. Players remaining on the roster include his wife Mary, daughters and sons-in-law Mindy and Philip Vescovo, Betsy and Chris Kirksey, Laurie and Mark Maccini. Triple A team roster: Emma and Olivia Vescovo; Kelsey, Haley, and Matthew Kirksey; Ben and Gabriel Maccini. Also, a brother, Bill, wife Suz, and nieces Kim and Robin. Game highlights at First Presbyterian Church, 8001 Mesa Dr. on Saturday, January 28, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society , your favorite National Park, your church, or a charity of your choice . And remember - turn out the lights! Published in Austin American-Statesman on January 22, 2012

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