Robert R. "Bob" Foran, born Aug. 30, 1924, in Omaha, Neb., was called Home by his Heavenly Father on June 17, 2011, surrounded by his family. Bob was a retired master sergeant, enlisting in the Marine Corps prior to Pearl Harbor at the age of 17 in September 1941. He was cited for going ashore in the 5th wave at Guadalcanal and later transferred to the Marine Fighting Squadron 121. In 1945, he served with Marine Air Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at the Island of Peleliu. During the Korean Conflict, he served with the Marine Fighting Squadron 323 aboard the USS Badoeng Strait aircraft carrier. After Korea he was stationed at Millington Naval Air Station, Memphis, Tenn., Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Marine Air Stations in Japan and Okinawa, and then the New River Marine Corps Air Station, Jacksonville. While serving as the provost sergeant at the New River Air Station, he started the Toastmaster International program there. He retired in 1961 to pursue a variety of careers. In the early 1960s, he ran for office as a Republican when being a Republican wasn't vogue. He was told to switch parties and he would get elected, but he had his principles. In his civilian career, he managed several service stations, a garage, and a social club. Bob was a member of the Infant of Prague Catholic Church since 1957. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Father William O'Byrne Council serving as the Grand Knight and the Senator Albert J. Ellis Assembly and was the Charter Navigator. He was the driving force for the establishment of the Albert J. Ellis Assembly, and from that beginning there are now eight more Fourth Degree Assemblies in Southeastern North Carolina. He was very active in programs to assist and help children and was active in the Knights of Columbus Operation Lamb Tootsie Roll Drive. Bob and his wife, June, were instrumental in reviving the March of Dimes Foundation in Onslow County. He was active in the Fleet Marine Reserve, the Marine Corps Aviation Association, the American Legion, and the Moose Lodge and was Past President of the Fleet Reserve Association. Bob was the treasurer of the U.S.O. Jacksonville Center for 27 years, helping to build it into one of the largest in the U.S. In the 1970s, he dabbled into the world of publishing and published "The Commonwealth of Onslow, A History" with author Joseph Parsons Brown. Bob's grandfather was from Ireland, and though he never visited the Emerald Isle, he was Irish through and through. He had a love for life and always had a story or joke to tell. Anyone who ever met him would definitely have a story to share. Bob was married to the former June E. Burkheimer, and they celebrated their 67th anniversary on May 20. Bob is survived by his wife, June, and five children, Michael Foran and his wife Carole, Peachtree City, Ga.; Kathleen Myers, Navarre, Fla.; Maryann Martinelli, Jacksonville; Stephanie Kenis and her husband Sean, Herndon, Va.; and Margaret Sanderson and her husband Michael, Piney Green. Son Robert R. Foran II preceded his father in death. He had 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will be having a memorial service at American Legion Post 256, 146 Broadhurst Rd., Jacksonville, on June 25 from noon to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in the name of Robert R. Foran to the Knights of Columbus Operation LAMB at Knights of Columbus, Father William O'Byrne Council #3574, ATTN: Operation LAMB, P.O. Box 7241, Jacksonville, NC 28540. Condolences may be made at jdnews.com. Arrangements by Kahlert Funerals & Cremations in Maysville.

Published in Jacksonville Daily News from June 22, 2013.