Robert Charles Lynch, 93, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully at home on July 22, 2016, with his family by his side.
He is survived by his wife M. Roberta Lynch of Vero Beach; daughter Kathleen (Timothy) Moynihan of Rye, N.Y.; sons Robert Jr. (Mary Beth) Lynch of Coral Springs, Fla., Brian (Lynn) Lynch of Roswell, Ga., and Christopher (Sue) Lynch of Roswell, Ga.; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; Roberta’s six daughters: Marian (Bob) Rice, Loretta (Morgan) Dewey, Ginger (Urs) Rengel, Regina (Ira) Rice, Dolores (Tom) Gahan, and Celeste Rice; 16 step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild; as well as devoted friends who loved him like family.
He is preceded in death by brother William (Billy) Lynch and first wife Helen Brendel Lynch. Everyone will deeply miss his love of life, playfulness and quick wit.
Affectionately known as “Pop,” Lynch was born in Rye, N.Y., to Ethel and William Lynch on Nov. 4, 1922. He attended Milton School and Rye High School before eventually graduating from NYU.
After the strike on Pearl Harbor, at the invincible age of 19, Lynch enlisted in the US Army without any prior discussion with his parents. He served in the 3rd Infantry Division as a combat infantryman and participated in first-wave amphibious assault landings on Anzio, Italy, and St. Tropez, France, accumulating an incredible 350 days in frontline combat. He received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and the French Legion of Honor in recognition of his valor and service.
He said his Guardian Angel was his constant companion and savior during the war, his angel was “one of the greatest!” Sixty years after he returned from the war he was ready to write about his experience and published “A Letter Marked Free,” his story told through letters home to his family, which often ended with a request for cookies.
Twelve years after the war, Lynch settled down with Helen Brendel of Rye, N.Y. Together they had four children. On June 6, 1975, the angels came and took Helen, but Lynch said that thanks to his wonderful children, he survived once again. He was a dedicated, devoted and loving father for 58 years.
Throughout Lynch’s life he was an active community leader in town and at Church of the Resurrection in Rye. He was twice honored by the City of Rye for distinguished and devoted service. He coached Little League and served on the board of many organizations, including: Rye United Fund, Square House Restoration, Mayor’s Committee for Handicapped, Rye Boy Scouts, Rye Chapter of the American Red Cross, Rye Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Community Improvement, Rye YMCA, Rye Youth Council Fair, United Hospital Fund Drive, as well as Resurrection’s Dad’s Club and Cardinal Spellman’s 50th Jubilee. He was a lifetime member of the Rye American Legion Post 128 and former member of the Rye Lions Club.
He spent his career as an executive with Citicorp, N.Y., and during his tenure helped build and then manage the current Citibank branch in the center of town. He also helped finance the city’s purchase of Rye Golf Club.
Lady luck was with him in 1987 when he joined forces with Roberta “Bobbe” Rice of Manhasset, N.Y. They married and set out to conquer the world; happiness abounded and life was beautiful again. They moved to Vero Beach and spent their summers in Stony Brook, N.Y. Every season they were the ultimate hosts, entertaining their many grandchildren at the beach, in the pool and at the dinner table. He was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero.
Funeral masses will be held on Thursday, July 28, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, and on Monday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. at Church of the Resurrection in Rye, N.Y. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.