Robert "Rex" Funk's Obituary
Robert “Rex” Funk August 12,1917- March 10, 2016 Rex was the third son of Charles Funk and Lula Johnson. His older brothers were Delbert and Foster. All three were born in Jolley, Iowa. The family resettled in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where boys all grew up. After graduating from high school, Rex went to work at the Pfaff Baking Company where his father was employed. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and rose to the rank of Chief Pharmacist Mate. He served on the U.S.S. Bright (DE-747). In September of 1944 he was involved in the Battle of Peleiu and landed with the U.S. Marines, First Division. In May of 1945, while in the South Pacific, his ship, the was attacked by a “Kamikaze” attack airplane. The airplane was heavily damaged, but crashed in to the fantail and disabled the ship, damaging the rudder. The ship and crew, after some repairs, were able to sail back to Portland, Or. The war ended while the ship was being repaired. Rex received the Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged from the Navy in December 1945. He then went back to work at the Pfaff Baking Company On November 15, 2015 Rex was honored by the Oakland Raiders on their Annual Veterans Recognition Day. Several photos of him, during World War 2, were displayed on the Jumbotron, and he alone was on the field. Both he and family were surprised, as all thought that there would be more Veterans in attendance, Rex was the only one, standing in the middle of the field. It was a very moving moment for both him and his family, who were all in attendance. Rex worked as a carpenter for Brunswick, working all over the United States for over 20 years. He settled in Hayward in mid 1960, where he met and married Helen Forgard in 1963. They were married 23 years until her death in 1986. He was employed by the Hayward Unified School district as a custodian and worked at Mt. Eden High School from 1967 until he retired in 1982. After his retirement he golfed several days a week. He was a member of “SIRS” and was once the chapter’s “Top Sir”. He was also a member of “Friends of Frank Ivaldi golf group” at Sunol Golf Course. He golfed until he was 94 years old. He annually went to Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho, home of the floating 14th hole, to play golf. Until he gave up golf when he was 94 years old, he shot his age, at least once a year, from the time he was 77 years old. He took several cruises after retirement, and traveled around the world. He has ridden a camel to the pyramids in Giza, Egypt. He has seen the Taj Mahal in full moonlight in Agra, India. He climbed the Great Wall of China. He visited The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. He has seen the Olympic venues in Oslo, Norway, Athens, Greece, Montreal, Canada, Berlin, Germany, and Sydney, Australia. He took a plane ride over the South Pole in Antarctica. He is survived his daughter Susan Gormly (Michael) of Castro Valley, granddaughter Kelly Osang (Thomas) of Dallas, Texas, grandson Kevin Gormly of Hayward, Stacy Angelo of San Ramon, great grandsons Tyler Gormly and Kyle Gormly of San Ramon, and Tristan Osang of Dallas, Texas. Also by niece Rene Newman and her daughter Dawn Marti of Maryland. Rex is predeceased by parents Charles and Lula, brothers Delbert and Foster, and wife Helen.ESTIMATION When you think of a man you seldom think of the knowledge he has of books; You seldom think of the clothes he wears, his habits, or faults, or looks; You seldom think of the car he drives, or the bonds his gold has bought; When you think of a man, you mostly think of some kindness he has brought. You judge him not by the block of stocks, nor his power of name and pen; You judge a man by the place he’s made in the hearts of his fellow men. You judge a man by what he’s done; by the way he’s faced the strife, And not the amount of the bank account he’s managed to get in life. You think of the friend he’s been to man, and the good that he has done; You judge the sort of man he is by the friends that he has won. ~ Author unknown
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