June 8, 1923 - Aug. 7, 2009

Bob Guse, 86, of Albany died Friday at Samaritan Albany General Hospital after a series of complications following open heart surgery.

Bob was born in Aberdeen, S.D., to Andrew and Hazel Guse. He was a long-time resident of Albany, where he lived with his wife, Betty.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945. During World War II Bob was in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Rhineland, Central Europe. He was also the foreman of a sawmill during the war and supervised 20 German civilians, cutting lumber for the U.S. Army. Bob received a European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with a silver battle star, three overseas service bars and a good conduct medal.

After the war he drove long-haul trucks for 18 years. His last job was working for Greater Albany Public Schools, where he was school bus mechanic and shop foreman for 21 years. He volunteered for the Red Cross transporting blood for 21 years.

Bob was well known for his long everyday walks with his wife, Betty, in the Heritage Mall and all around their neighborhood. The Albany Democrat-Herald posted an article about Bob and Betty on the front page of their paper commenting on their love for exercise.

He loved riding and fixing up bicycles. Bob always had bicycles for sale in his driveway. He was a member of the Antique Ford Club.

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife of 51 years, Fern Guse; sisters Audrey and Alice; brothers Floyd, Chico and Gordon; twin brother Stan; and stepson Richard Hiner.

He is survived by his wife Betty Guse; brother James Guse; stepsons Harvy Hiners, and Gordon and Geoff Proctor; stepdaughter Lori Edmunson; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A gathering to celebrate Bob's life will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 1469 Timber St., Albany.

Everyone who knew Bob will love and miss him dearly. The family appreciates the wonderful care Bob received at Albany General Hospital Critical Care Unit and Regency Nursing Home.

DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home is handling arrangements.