Robert Calvin 'Bob' Poch

Robert Calvin "Bob" Poch, 95, died Monday, September 6, 2021, at Hot Springs Health hospital in Thermopolis. He was a resident at the Wyoming Pioneer Home prior to his hospitalization.

The fourth of seven sons of Paul and Phyllis (Hacker) Poch, Bob was born at Pine Bluffs, Wyo., on November 24, 1925. The family lived on a farm at Grover, Colo., from 1929 until 1934, when the drought of the Dust Bowl days and the economics of the Great Depression forced the family to move to Cheyenne.

A hard working "businessman" from an early age, Bob worked as a caddie at the Country Club golf course, sold magazines, delivered newspapers and at the age of twelve was hired as a grocery boy by Lloyd Langley. Later, Bob worked part time for Inland Air at the Cheyenne airport, learning to be an aircraft mechanic. In January 1944 Bob left school to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He served as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer in North Africa and Italy and was discharged in 1946.

Bob returned to Cheyenne where he worked for Langley's Grocery and learned the meat cutting trade.

On March 7, 1948, Bob married Majorie (Margy) Elaine Schleicher in Cheyenne. Their son, Bob (Craig) Poch was born there. In 1950 the family moved to Thermopolis.

A vital member of the community, Bob was a member and licensed lay minister of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He was also a 50-year member of the Masons, a charter member of the Kiwanis Club, a member of the VFW and the BPOE. Ever really to greet a friend or to make a friend, Bob was a worthy ambassador for Thermopolis.

Concluding his autobiography, Bob said: "My son, Bob, blessed me with two grandchildren (Bob and Krista). Both are a great joy to me.

"My one hope is to leave this world laughing and those I leave with a smile on their faces and a song in their hearts! God bless, much love, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, Friend and Cousin. Sweet Old Bob."

Bob is survived by his son, Robert "Bob" Craig Poch; grandchildren, William Robert "Bob" Poch and Krista Lee Poch; brother, Gene Poch and niece Karen Poch of Redding, Calif.; his church family at Holy Trinity; and many friends in Thermopolis and beyond.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 20 at 7 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 642 Arapahoe Street, Thermopolis. COVID precautions are strongly encouraged.

Interment will take place at the Veterans Administration Cemetery in Cheyenne at a later date.