More detail on this person: Robert G. Sleeth
age 57 born November 16, 1947 died May 24, 2005
in Gilbertsville, KY from a stroke. This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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Bob Sleeth was born in South Bend, Indiana. He
was raised in North liberty, Indiana, Batavia,
Illinois and Glasgow, Scotland. He started high
school in Glasgow and graduated from Wayland
Academy in Wisconsin. He attended Illinois
Institute of Technology in Chicago and joined the
Army in 1968 After basic training, he went through
OCS and then helicopter flight schools at Camp
Wolter, Texas and Fort Rucker, Alabama. He went
to Vietnam in 1970 and served two consecutive
tours there. He was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross and a Bronze Star for actions in
Vietnam. He returned to civilian life in 1972, met
Elizabeth Frank (Betsy) and they were married in
September, 1973. Bob and Betsy had four
daughters who are listed below .Betsy preceded
him in death in 2000.
Bob went through air traffic controller training
and worked in that profession until he ended up on
the wrong side of the picket line. He reverted to
a job that he enjoyed most, flying helicopters.
After a couple of years of flying a traffic
helicopter, he started flying for the University
of Chicago s UCAN (University of Chicago
Aeromedical Network). He served in the Illinois
National Guard in the 47th Aviation Battalion,
Chicago; 44th Aviation Battalion, Peoria; 106th
Aviation Battalion, Midway Chicago and thoroughly
enjoyed his companions and flying. He flew for
UCAN until December, 1994 when a heart attack,
bypass surgery and a stroke while in the hospital
ended his flying days. He retired from the Guard
with the rank of Major.
In the early 80s, he taught himself what it took
to design and build a house. Over the years, he
built two homes in Hinckley, Illinois. When he
could no longer fly, he moved his family to
Gilbertsville, Kentucky and built another home.
Bob had another stroke on May 9, 2005 and flew
home on May 24, 2005. As much as he missed
flying, he must be extremely pleased to have wings
again.
Survivors: Wife - Elizabeth "Betsy" Sleeth - died
2000; Daughters, Ms. Kelly Sleeth - Kuwait; Ms.
Kimberly Sleeth - Illinois; Mrs. Kristin Darnall -
Kentucky; Ms. Nicole Sleeth - Illinois.
From: James G. Sleeth