Robert P. Spruit

Robert Peter “Bob” Spruit, 94, of Bremen, IN passed away in his home on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Born December 3, 1930, in Chicago, IL, the son of Peter W. and Irene (Schmidt) Spruit. Bob grew up and lived in the suburbs of Chicago for most of his young life. During this time, he was always tinkering with model airplanes, bikes, motor bikes and finally cars. Before graduating high school, he enlisted in the military in 1951 and ended up in the Air Force. He was trained as an aircraft mechanic and during this time earned his GED. He became a Jet Aircraft mechanic and was involved in the Korean war from July 1952 to June 1953 at Suwon Korea 25 miles south of Seoul and closest to North Korea border; part of the 8th Fighter Bomber Wing, 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron. His first F-80 was shot down by ground fire. His second F-80 had previously been used for reconnaissance and was all shot up. He fixed up the plane and crimped the tailpipe to increase the planes speed so it would not be as easy to shoot down. The pilots used to love to fly it. Eventually the F-80 was replaced with the F-86. Neither of the planes were shot down. He was involved in the “Big Push” that created the cease fire with North Korea. After the service he worked for Lockheed as a Jet Mechanic in Chicago and meet his wife Betty Ratliff and, after a short courtship, they were married in November 19, 1955. Lockheed transferred him to Atlanta, Georgia and he worked there until he returned to Chicago working for Delta. He joined the Air Force reserves to enable him to take a job with Government DCASR Logistics inspecting all drives for all aircraft through final operation at Sundstrand Aviation in Rockford Illinois. He took on the role of Engineer Technician when Sundstrand Aviation was awarded a contract for space shuttle auxiliary power units (APUs) for NASA. He held this position during the Columbia, Atlantis, Enterprise, and Challenger shuttle flights until he retired in 1986. He continued to work odd jobs for the rest of his life. Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Betty (Ratliff) Spruit; 2 sons; Bill ( Kim ) Spruit and Calvin Spruit and 2 daughters; Lolita ( Donald ) Ward and Aimee ( Pete ) Bochniak. He will also be missed by 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and 3 sisters; Lolita ( Frank ) Hagio, Beth O’ Hara and Joan Kunst. Bob is preceded by his sisters; Dorthy Flohr, Marge Daley and his brother William Spruit. A visitation will be held on May 10th, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM followed by a memorial service in celebration of Bob’s life from 2:00 – 3:00 PM at Mishler Funeral Home 2030 IN-331, Bremen, IN 46506.