Col. Robert Ward Huntzinger, 89, formerly of Huntsville, died peacefully this Sunday, July 7—after a long illness, surrounded by his family. He had been an Alabama resident for 51 years.
Robert Huntzinger was born in 1929 in Minneapolis and attended Breck Military Academy, later graduating from the Univ. of Minnesota as a Distinguished Military Graduate, earning his regular Army commission. He commanded an artillery battery during the Korean War and subsequently traveled the world in the service of his country, including nuclear testing in the South Pacific in the 1960s, the Lawrence Livermore Radiation Laboratory in California, as a liaison officer to the British Army at Ft Halstead, England, and later at Redstone Arsenal Missile Command as TOW antitank project manager for many years. He retired from the service after 27 years, having earned numerous service medals, awards and citations, including the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit and the Army Commendation Medal. He subsequently worked at Northrop and Chrysler Corp. before permanently retiring.
Col. Huntzinger was the epitome of an officer and a gentleman, a husband, father, friend, neighbor, advisor and inspiration whose great love was his wife, family and home, his numerous pets, his country, and sailing on the lake. He, like his father before him, was proud to be a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Methodist Church. His love, companionship and guidance will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Patricia Huntzinger; son, Grant W. (Glenda) Huntzinger; daughter, Cathy (Frank) Salvagni; son, Robert Scott (Carol) Huntzinger; grandchildren, Brad (Sheila) Huntzinger, Emily Huntzinger (Caleb) Bowman, Brent Huntzinger, and great grandchildren Jackson Huntzinger and Brooklyn Bowman.
The family would like to recognize the outstanding care that Huntsville Madison Hospital and Huntsville Hospice Family Care provided for their father.
A private family Memorial Service will be held at Legacy Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Family Care online at http://www.hospicefamilycare.org/donate.aspx or by mail at 10000 Serenity Lane, Huntsville, AL 35803 or to Helion Lodge online at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=pUiJ0KDyAiyq1O_RR5d9miG0myj44HwGoeVswEPLkGDxeSt3W_9n3ZTQpAXG1v5UDZfZD0&c
