Robert Ernest Dittrich (RED) was born as an only child to Caroline and Alonzo Dittrich on September 17, 1920, in Des Moines, Iowa. He died February 25, 2012 in Warr Acres, Oklahoma. He enjoyed living with his Mother while his Father traveled as a salesman. He and his parents lived off of Cedar Lake Boulevard. His Father, Lon, designed and built what was at first a two-room lake cottage with a screen veranda. As Bob grew, so did the house. By the time Bob was a teenager, the house became a glorious three-story brick style home with windows even indoors. After they added the sunroom with massive windows everywhere, Bob had lots of fun playing in the house that Lon built. Living across from Cedar Lake, he enjoyed fishing, boating, and ice skating. When Bob was very young, he built a raft to sail on the lake. Bob already had a boat. But that was not enough for Bob's mind; therefore, he had to build a raft. The raft broke in the middle of the lake. Bob, being strong, swam all the way back. Even though the raft broke, it did not discourage him from continuing to try new things. This taught him a big lesson: to always stay on course. He was always interested in the next big ventureall throughout his life. Even at 89, he became a medical transcriptionist just to prove he could. He had no desire to do this job. Direct quote, "I will complete this because they said I couldn't because I was too old." The stories all of us are always told from our parents of how they walked to school even in the snow were true for our Father. But with Bob, not only did he walk in the snow, he ice skated across nine lakes to get to school. Sofrom a young age, he was very active and stayed so all throughout his life. At 91, his nurses didn't believe us when we told them his real age. They thought he was 70 at most. Mother Caroline was usually very strict and kept Bob in line. However, Bob managed to occasionally stray from his strict Mom's hand. When he was in high school, he got in trouble for dancing on wooden school desktops with his cleats. Yes, Mom Caroline was not pleased with Bob then. As a teenager, he got caught playing the piano in a local bar, playing concert pianoBrahms, Bach, Mozart, and Tchaikovskyfor the local customers. Bob was an entirely self-taught pianist. Mother Caroline also was a crossword puzzle fanatic. She spent most of his boyhood with him developing a love of crossword puzzles, radio programs, and reading, which lasted for the rest of his life. Bob's work career was very colorful and diverse. His Father, Lon, wanted him to be lawyer or doctor, which Bob rebelled against. Bob was a lot more creative than his Father would give him credit for, plus, Bob was quite the rebel, almost always taking the path least taken. Instead of studying law, his pursuits were in music, teaching, and other creative ventures. Not only did he teach himself the piano and Latin, he was also a gifted mathematician. His first job was as a Printer's Proofreader. Math led him to positions with Shell Oil Company and as a navigator in the Air Force. His love of music led him to his wife in the 40s at a Tommy Dorsey Big Band concert in northern California. It was love at first glance for Bob as he waved hello to Clara, who was in the balcony. Two minutes later, Clara turned around to see a handsome vision of her future husband. Their marriage lasted 57 years. Aren't we glad that he didn't study law! Bob's military career spanned over 40 years when he retired as a Lt. Colonel, E5. He flew several tours over Europe during WWII. He also participated in Korea, flew cargo over Vietnam (by the seat of his pants as he used to say). During the Kennedy Administration, he was chosen for the presidential flight crew. All in all, Bob was an "In Charge" kind of man. During his years in the guard, he was known as the "Silver Fox" among the men he commanded. With his stunning white hair, booming voice, and cerulean ice-blue eyes, he was quite striking and fit the silver fox image. With his 20 20 vision, he could also command a regiment with his straight-arrow eyes. Yet, for such a man's man, he always treated his three daughters with tender care. In the early 1960s, Bob received his real estate broker's license. He also sold insurance. Later, he became an Oklahoma State Tag Auditor and enjoyed traveling the state with his wife Clara in a fifth wheel. He retired from state employment in 1989. Bob's last position was to oversee his daughter's dog grooming business, which has flourished under his managed care since 1989. He also started his own business with his wife, Clara. B&C Enterprises was involved in many business opportunities. AmWay, Shaklee, Young Living Essentials Oils, plus anything Bob thought was a lucrative business was done. Clara was the natural saleswoman and Bob was the "brains" of the outfit. Bob had many pursuits. He was a member of several organizations: Masons (32nd degree) Amaranth (Worthy Patron) Eastern Star White Shrine Job's Daughter Grand Associate Guardian - he often acted as "Santa" at Job's Daughter functions). He helped organize several Job's Daughter bethels in Oklahoma. Bob is survived by his daughters, Carolyn Stevens (with husband Bill), Cynthia Dittrich, and Robin Dittrich. His grandchildren are Tandy Elisala, Tracey Deming (and her husband Fred), and Felicity Stevens. His great grandchildren are Amanda, Sarah, and Stephen Elisala, and Stormie and Taylore Deming. Funeral services will be held at Mercer-Adams Chapel in Bethany, OK, on Saturday, March 3rd, 2012, at 2:00pm.