Robert Melvin Well
October 30, 1920 – October 7, 2016
From the 95th BG Memorials Foundation Facebook page:
In deep sadness, the Memorials Foundation and the Heritage Association announce that Robert Melvin Wells of Kings Grant, Martinsville, VA, left formation on 7 October 2016 at age 95. Mr. Wells was a 334th bombardier. Folded wings.
Robert was born in Callands, VA, on 30 October 1920 to Matthew Lee Wells and Julia Minter Wells. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert M. Wells Jr.
As his obituary reads, “Mr. Wells is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Mary Gilbert Wells; daughter Meg Oliver and husband Eddie of Richmond, Va.; son Richard S. Wells and wife Micky of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren Carter Herndon and husband Mike of Charlotte NC, Wells Oliver and wife Angela of San Diego CA, Langdon Oliver and wife Sharon of Chesapeake VA; great-grandchildren Archer and Olive Herndon, Chase and Kairi Oliver.
“Mr. Wells was a graduate of Martinsville High School, Middle Georgia College for pilot training, and he also attended Roanoke College. He served in Air Corps Reserve from 1942 to 1953. In 1943 he was activated for duty in WWII serving as a bombardier with the 95th Bomb Group and the 100th [Bomb Group as a] radar navigator out of England. Among the many service medals he received are the air medal with two oak leaf clusters, presidential citation with [various] oak leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
“He retired from DuPont with over 44 years of service during which time he served in management positions in four different departments. After five years of service with the company in Germany, Holland and Iran he returned home from Europe and was named Personnel Superintendent of the Martinsville Nylon Plant.
“Mr. Wells was a very-civic-and-community-minded person who served as President of the local area chapter of the Roanoke College Alumni Association and Director of the Junior Chamber of Commerce's Boys Baseball League. He served on the board of directors for Roanoke Blue Cross and Blue Shield, YMCA, and the Lynwood Club. He was also a member of First Baptist Church of Martinsville where he served on the budget committee and was a Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of the management relations committee for the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, Southern College Placement Association, Commission on Human Values, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Local Community Theater Group, and the United Way. Robert was also a Boy Scout leader at First Presbyterian Church of Martinsville.
“Mr. Wells was very thankful for all of the many opportunities he had to serve and help others. He served with dedication and enthusiasm and once noted that education never ceases as long as you are serving others. He summed up his life by saying he had a great life with a wonderful wife.