Military Service (Army) May 24, 1943 - June 26, 1945 Commissioned Officer, 2'* Lieutenant.
Robert M. Sperry (Bob), my husband of 41 years passed away Wednesday, May 1, at 2:37pm at St. Francis Hospital in Vinita, Oklahoma. Wife, Rosetta and family were at his bedside.
Bob, one of two children born in Winnipeg, Canada on June 6, 1925, to Ralph and Editha, Ziegler Sperry. During early childhood he lived in Chicago, Detroit, St. Paul and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
During his high school years he earned money to pay for Pilot Training as a bus-boy at the famous Ratzhes German Restaurant in Milwaukee, and by graduation he earned his pilot license.
In October 1943, as a future Aviation Cadet, he graduated Pilot Training in June 1945. Attended Pilot Instructor School in Waco, Texas the summer of 1945, flying an AT-6, a Stearman and other planes as he qualified to instruct and train our US Pilots in WWII.
Discharged October 1945 at the end of WWII, commissioned 2"" Lieutenant. Following his military commitment he graduated from Lawrence University, in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Bob met and married Florence Peacock, February 3, 1949 and from that union 3 children were born; Gretchen, Mark and Ralph Sperry. All three children preceded him in death, leaving Bob with Daughter-in-law Paula Sperry and mother of 2 Grandchildren, Maggie Sperry, Nurse Practitioner and Dr. Thomas Sperry, Cardiologist, both of Dallas, Texas.
Bob was a career Salesman, sales manager and trouble shooter for Bell and Howell Company.
In 1970 Bob moved to Tulsa to manage the closure of Bell and Howell's last equipment stores.
He designed and sold hospital (Forms and Systems) until late 1970's when Computers and High Speed Copiers forced change in technology and equipment.
During this business journey he was admitted as a professional member in the Association for System's Management, 1973. Going into business for himself Bob owned Forms Control, a business of designing, printing and distribution of "custom forms" for all types of companies during this technical transition.
In 1982 while making a "Cold Call for Sales" to a local Tulsa hospital, he met as he described a "formidable business woman" who was the Director of Materials Management, who purchased everything except food and drugs for the hospital.
For Bob to earn a 'Forms Management Contract,' he had to prove that he could meet their needs. He later stated it was the best contract he ever won. He provided service to the hospital and on Dec. 26, 1983 he married this "Formidable Woman", Rosetta Sperry, wife of 41 years as she laughingly confessed that many times through out the years, "I told him he was arrogant and he sold me a bill of goods. He was a good salesman!
in 1987 Bob engaged with Sunlife of Canada, a company for businesses and personal financial management and planning. He received Recognition, Awards and Citations of his work for growing the business financially and recruiting other licensed agents. In his first year he won the Presidents Award for top sales. Bob remained with Sunlife until retirement.
After retirement wanted to make sure he had Golf Money, so from time to time he worked part-time at Atwoods, Office Everything, and as a Courier transporter for a dear friend from church, Keith Austin.
Bob will be greatly missed by many and is preceded in death by both his parents, his sister Betty Schneider, and his children, Gretchen, Mark and Ralph Sperry. He is survived by his wife, Rosetta Sperry, Daughter-in-law Paula Sperry, Granddaughter Maggie Sperry and her 3 precious children, Grandson Dr. Thomas Sperry and wife Ashley and their 2 precious children; Stepdaughters: Kimberly and husband Dale Brown, Pamela and husband Thomas Morgan, and Shannon Deaver, Grandchildren: Jonathan Abaee and wife Hailey, Joshua Abaee and wife Jessica, Robin Wisdom and husband Larry, Kelsea Conley and husband Joe, Derrick Maner and wife Jessica, Dustin Deaver and wife Amber, Nick Deaver and wife Hannah, and Nathan Deaver and wife Anna. Bob was also Grandpa to 18 Great Grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Hartsworth Nursing Home, Compassus Hospice and St. Francis Hospital Vinita for their loving care and support.
Bob's passing was one month and 5 days short of his 99* Birthday! What a wonderful life!
