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Bennington, VT – Robert A Sausville Sr, 103, a longtime resident of Dewey Street in Bennington, passed away Sunday December 4, 2022, at Brookdale Fillmore Pond in Bennington surrounded by his family. Robert was born on August 5, 1919, in Bennington, one of eight children born to Charles A. and Delia (Boutin) Sausville. Robert received his education at Sacred Heart School and was a graduate of Bennington High Class of 1938. It was while at Bennington High when Robert met the love of his life, Geraldine T. Marra. The two were married on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1942. Geraldine passed away on February 1, 2015.
Robert enlisted in the Army Air Corps in April of 1941. He began his military career as an aircraft mechanic and was deployed as a flight engineer on the Northeast Submarine Patrol against the Germans in WWII. In 1942, Robert entered the pilot training program and would go on to fly 58 combat missions with the 32nd Bomber Group, 5th Army Air Corp over the southwest Pacific Ocean as a B-24 bomber pilot against the Japanese forces. Robert then served as a B-29 instructor for the Army Air Corps until 1945. Robert took a break from military service from 1945-1950 during which time he owned and operated the Bennington Airport.
In 1950 Robert returned to active duty as a member of the United States Air Force and was deployed overseas during the Korean War. Robert decided at that time to make a career out of his military service. Following his deployment with 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing in Korea, Robert came back to the U.S. and continued his distinguished Air Force career in research and development, testing new aircraft and weapons systems, until his official retirement from military service in 1969. In his over 28 years of service Robert was able to, as he put it, go from a “Private No Class” to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during WWII along with the Airman’s Medal, an Air Force Commendation medal and over a dozen campaign ribbons.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, Robert returned to his hometown of Bennington and he and his wife Gerry purchased a new home on Dewey Street and started their antique clock retail and repair shop. Over the years they built up a substantial collection of antique clocks which adorned the house on Dewey Street. Throughout his life Robert had always had a passion for writing poetry. After years and years of “scratching out” his reflections on life, his children began saving his writings. After compiling a thorough collection Robert’s thoughts were published into a book, “Humorous Verse.” Many of the poems contained in the book were composed while at deer camp, fishing or just enjoying the outdoors which were Robert’s other passions.
Robert is survived by his children; Sharon (Gene) Bennett of Virginia Beach, VA, Robert A. (Mary) Sausville, Jr., of Clifton, VA and Peter C. (Debbie) Sausville of Clifton, VA. He leaves seven grandchildren; Christine Vall, Paul (Leslie) Howard, Stephen (Lindy) Howard, Peter (Geremi) Howard, Catherine (Gregory Scott Cochran) Sausville, Zachary (Emma) Sausville and Rachel Marie (Myke) Sausville, nine great-grandchildren; Jacob Vall, Molly Howard, Megan Howard, Allison Howard, Danielle Howard, Nicholas Howard, Daniel Howard, Marrok Sausville and Lia Grace Sausville. Additionally, he leaves many nieces and nephews and friends. In addition to his wife Geraldine, Robert was predeceased by his brothers; Charles, Clarence and Roland Sausville, his sisters; Margaret Munns, Irene Herrick, Leona Sausville and Rita Kearns, his granddaughter Lauren Grace Sausville, and his daughter-in-law, Sarah Jane Sausville.
The family of Robert Sausville, Sr., is eternally grateful to all the staff at Brookdale Filmore Pond and the Bayada Hospice team for their compassionate and loving care of our father.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10:00 AM at the Mahar Funeral Home in Bennington. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Park Lawn Cemetery in Bennington. Friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home on Friday, December 9, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. If friends desire, contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice through the office of the Mahar Funeral Home 628 Main Street Bennington, VT 05201.
