Robert D. Bateson

Robert Drury Bateson, the son of the late Paul and Lottie Bateson of Limerock, RI, passed away on September 25, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, MA. He was the devoted and beloved husband of Madeline Frances (Curley) Bateson for 64 years who predeceased him in 2008. Robert was born in Hopedale, MA on November 1, 1917. He was an incredible provider and role model to his six children - Bonnie, who passed away in September of 1992 and will be reunited with him again in heaven; Joanne Grasmick and her husband Dwight of Ankeny, IA; Robert Bateson and his wife Katie of Cheshire, CT; Thomas Bateson and his wife Dody of Henderson, NV; Maureen (Bateson) Gobeille of Wilbraham, MA; and Paul Bateson and his wife Kim of Wilbraham, MA. He also leaves behind 17 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren who will miss his guidance and kind ways immensely. He will be with them in their prayers forever. A private, but extremely thoughtful, man, Robert loved his country as much as he loved his family. He was a WWII veteran who flew bombing missions over Germany as the co-pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress. On February 25, 1944, on a mission to Germany, his plane was shot down and he and his crew were captured. He spent the next 15 months in a German POW camp (Stalag Luft 1) until he was liberated on May 12, 1945 by advancing Russian Forces. Robert�s immediate family were an important part of his life and he maintained ties to them his entire life. His sister Lillian Sparhawk of Greenville, SC and his brother Frank Bateson of Lincoln, RI predeceased him. He was also beloved by his nieces: Dorothy Perry of Smithfield, VA, Judith Patterson of Easley, SC; Pauline Giles of Sedona, AR, Helen Dickey of Knoxville, TN and his nephews: Paul Bateson of Harrisville, RI; and George Sparhawk of Sioux Falls, SD who predeceased him. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 22 at 12 Noon at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. A calling hour will precede the service from 11:00 am � 12 Noon. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Springfield, MA.