Robert H Ollinger

Robert H. Ollinger of Glen Burnie, son of the late Mildred and Carl Ollingr was born in Drifting, PA, on March 11, 1925.  He was preceded in death by his three siblings, Charles, James and Gertrude (Beightol).  He graduated with honors from Cooper Township High School, class of 1942.  During his senior year at high school, he attended night school at Clearfield Aviation Institute and upon graduation he went to work for Bell Aircraft in Niagara Falls, New York.  The Following year, 1943, he went into the service with the Army Field Artillery 30th Division.  During training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, he got word his mother passed away suddenly.  Soon, like thousands of other young men, he was on a ship heading to England to prepare for the Normandy Invasion.  He landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day and later fought in the Battle of the Bulge.  He was wounded, and received two purple hearts along with the Bronze Star and 5 major Battle Medals.  In 2013, he was invited to the French Embassy where he was awarded the French Medal of Honor for his part in liberating France in WWII.  He received documents of appreciation for the liberation of France as well as Belgium.  Soon after he arrived home from WWII, he married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Hubler, On October 6, 1945, in Cumberland, Maryland.  He attended Penn State University and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1954.  He moved his family to MD to work for Westinghouse Electronic Systems and continued to work there until retirement in 1987.  One significant contribution to our country’s security was his involvement in the development of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) to improve radar detection of low flying aircraft from higher altitudes which radar systems at the time were incapable of doing.  In 1962, Robert was called to Key West, Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis to advise the Navy F4 pilots how to use radar improvements.  Through Westinghouse, many friendships developed that led to square dancing, golfing, bowling, ballroom dancing, cruises, sportsman club, fishing tournaments and crab feasts.  Many of these friendships have lasted a lifetime.  For many years he enjoyed the friends he and Ruth made at the Elks Lodge of Glen Burnie, Young at Heart Club at GBUMC and the Moose Lodge.  Robert was an active member of the Glen Burnie United Methodist Church since 1956.  Up until his recent illness, he participated in the church homeless program for over 20 years, giving his time and compassion to stay with the homeless overnight at the church during the week.  He and Ruth volunteered for many years to deliver the food to NCEON for the needy families of the community.  On December 10, 2015, his beloved wife, Ruth, passed away.  They had celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary this past October.  Robert is survived by four children: Sandra Ogas (John), Barbara MacBride (Jim), Deborah Sabel (Ken) and Robert Ollinger, Jr.  In addition, he is survived by six grandchildren: Jonathan Ogas (Tofool), Jeremy Ogas, Devin MacBride (Jessica), Stephanie Forrester (Chuck), Joshua Sparks (Laura) and Brendan MacBride (Lydia).  He has four great grandchildren: Keira and Dylan MacBride and Lily and Logan Forrester.