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Robert C. Lynch was born in Rye, N.Y., to Ethel and William Lynch on November 4, 1922. In Rye his family lived at 23 Oakwood Ave and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. Robert attended Rye High School, Class of 1940 and New York University. He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
 At the age of 19 and unbeknownst to his parents, Bob Lynch enlisted in the US Army shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division as a combat infantryman in the European Theater.
During his service time, Bob participated in two first-wave amphibious assault landings. The first one occurred when Bob was only 22 years old. On January 22, 1942 the 3rd Infantry Division landed in Anzio, Italy and for the next four months engaged in some of the bloodiest battles of WW II. The Anzio initiative was called by some the worst mistake of WW II'', but the mission was accomplished as the 3rd Division drove the Germans inland from Anzio and was able to capture Rome.
The other amphibious landing was at St. Troprez, France (Operation Dragoon) in August 1944 that began an almost 1 year journey through France and Germany. This trek resulted in the liberation of many small towns and villages throughout the French countryside including Versoul where the townspeople welcomed the liberating heroes with song, food and embraces.
The Germans eventually stopped retreating and dug in for a last ditch effort to stop the advancing Armies in the Vosges Mountains and Colmer Pocket. The battle raged on throughout most of the Winter of 1945 with the 3rd Division remaining on the front line for an unbelievable 188 days straight of non-stop, front line combat during this time period.
 This led the 3rd Division to become the first American Division to receive the coveted Presidential citation for their distinguished accomplishments.
It was during this time period that Bob was injured in the line of duty and also went Missing in Action for over 10 days.
During his service to his country, Bob accumulated an incredible 350+ days in front-line combat and added combat rifleman, light machine gunner and mortar man to his already impressive wartime resume.
In recognition for his bravery and selfishness in the face of battle, Bob was awarded 6 combat/battle stars and received 9 US citations including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge . In addition to his US accommodations for service, Bob has received 3 French citations Croix de Guerre with Palm 2 plus the French Legion of Honor, Frances most prestigious award, for outstanding valor and service during WW II.
Bob said his Guardian Angel was his constant companion and savior during the war, his angel was ''one of the greatest!'' 60 years after the war Bob wrote about his experience in ''A Letter Marked Free,'' his story told through letters home to his family, which often ended with a request for cookies.
Bob settled down with Helen Brendel of Rye, N.Y. Together they had four children. On June 6, 1975, the angels took Helen, but Bob said that thanks to his wonderful children, he survived once again. He was a dedicated, devoted and loving father for 58 years.
Throughout Bob's life he was an active community leader in Rye and at Church of the Resurrection. He was twice honored by the City of Rye for distinguished and devoted service. Bob spent his career as an executive with Citicorp, NY, and during his tenure helped build and manage the current Citibank branch in Rye. He also helped finance the city's purchase of Rye Golf Club.
 In 1987 Bob married Roberta ''Bobbe'' Rice of Manhasset, N.Y.; happiness abounded and life was beautiful again. They moved to Vero Beach, Fla., and spent 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.
Robert C. Lynch, 93, of Vero Beach, Fla., died peacefully at home on July 22, 2016 with his family by his side.
At the time of his death Bob was survived by his wife, M. Roberta Lynch of Vero Beach, Fla.; 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.; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 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.
Robert C. Lynch, 93, of Vero Beach, Fla., died peacefully at home on July 22 with his family by his side. Bob, affectionately known as Pop, was born in Rye, N.Y., to Ethel and William Lynch on November 4, 1922. He attended Rye High School and New York University.
After the strike on Pearl Harbor, at the invincible age of nineteen, Bob enlisted in the U.S. 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. Bob said his Guardian Angel was his constant companion and savior during the war, his angel was ''one of the greatest!'' 60 years after the war Bob wrote about his experience in ''A Letter Marked Free,'' his story told through letters home to his family, which often ended  with a request for cookies.
Bob settled down with Helen Brendel of Rye, N.Y. Together they had four children. On June 6, 1975, the angels took Helen, but Bob said that thanks to his wonderful children, he survived once again. He was a dedicated, devoted and loving father for 58 years.
Throughout Bob's life he was an active community leader in Rye and at Church of the Resurrection. He was twice honored by the City of Rye for distinguished and devoted service. Bob spent his career as an executive with Citicorp, NY, and during his tenure helped build and manage the current Citibank branch in Rye. He also helped finance the city's purchase of Rye Golf Club.
In 1987 Bob married Roberta ''Bobbe'' Rice of Manhasset, N.Y.; happiness abounded and life was beautiful again. They moved to Vero Beach, Fla., and spent 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.
Bob is survived by his wife, M. Roberta Lynch of Vero Beach, Fla.; 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.; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 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.
Funeral masses will be held Thursday, July 28, at 10am at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Fla., and Monday, August 1, at 11am at Church of the Resurrection in Rye, N.Y. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
Published on NYTimes.com from July 27 to July 28, 2016
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http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary...
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Bob Lynch 
