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- [S927] Obituary.
Retired major, U. S. Air Force
Robert James Olshaskie, 85, of Alamogordo, passed away Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, at the Aristocrat Assisted Care Facility.
Major Olshaskie was born July 21, 1923, in Shelbyville, Ill., to Benjamin and Grace (Garrett) Olshaskie. He married Mildred Jayne Morgan Feb. 6, 1943, in Chicago, Ill. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. He was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a pilot and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in the battle for the Ashau Valley in Vietnam. He retired as a major in 1970. He volunteered for the Red Cross for 30 years as a driver, taking people to their various medical treatments. He was a member of the MOAA and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
He is survived by two daughters, Missy Swann and husband, William L., of Alamogordo, and Bethel J. Williams and husband, Timothy R., of San Diego; one son, Robert J. (Dock) Olshaskie Jr. and wife, Cathy, of Ruidoso Downs; grandchildren Samuel Swann and wife, Brenda, of Albuquerque, Andrew Swann and wife, Cathy, of Tempe, Ariz., Tristen Swann Harper, of Las Cruces, Karen Huff and husband, Scott, of San Diego, William Garman and wife, Melodie, of Charleston, S.C., Andrew Williams and wife, Shannon, of Fort Hood, Texas, Pryd Olshaskie, of Arizona, Robert Olshaskie and wife, Kim, of Glendale, Ariz., and Timothy Olshaskie and Ethan Olshaskie, of Ruidoso Downs; and 25 great-grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held at Alamogordo Funeral Home at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, with Sam Swann of the New Mexico Southern Baptist Association officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the Steel Talons Honor Guard from Holloman Air Force Base.
Inurnment will be in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago.
The family would like extend a special thank you to everyone at the Aristocrat, Alamogordo Home Care and Hospice, Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center and Dr. Sungho Jun, M.D., for the love and wonderful care he received.
Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Alamogordo Home Care and Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
The Olshaskie family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral arrangements. Cremation has taken place locally at PCS.
To sign the online guestbook, please visit
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