Robert J. Fuerst, 89, passed away Friday, Dec 14, 2012, in the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Robert was born in St. Louis, MO on Dec 12, 1923 to Louis and Frances Kraus Fuerst. After graduating from high school in St. Louis, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He landed on Normandy about a week after D-Day, and also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was reported to be the first person from St. Louis, MO to set foot on German soil subsequent to the invasion. Robert also served during the Korean Conflict, overseeing the installation of a radar site in French Morocco. After his release from active duty in 1953, he returned to St. Louis and the Missouri National Guard. Robert completed studies for a BS degree in physics from the American University in 1954. Robert worked for the Air Force and Navy in St. Louis and Washington D.C. from 1953 until his retirement in 1976. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. After retirement, Robert acquired a private pilot license and owned his own airplane. He obtained his real estate license, and raised cattle on a farm near Rolla, MO. Robert was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. He was also a member of Ozark Empire Military Officers Association, Reserve Officers Association, the Knights of Columbus, National American Association of Retired Federal Employees, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Robert also enjoyed square dancing. On Nov 26, 1953 Robert married Delores May Hoff in St. Louis, MO. Delores preceded Robert in death on May 10, 1995. Robert later married Frances Bullock Garwood on Feb 6, 1999. Robert was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, four sisters, a daughter and an infant son. Robert is survived by his wife, Frances; a son, Robert Fuerst II and his wife Linda; a daughter Joan Garner and her husband Tim; two grandchildren, Erin Kiser and her husband, Joey, and Tim Garner II; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Francka, and her husband, Ben; two step-daughters, Sandy Stansberry and her husband Jerry, Gina Reed and her husband Larry; and four step -grandchildren, Stacy, Sarah, Jordan, and Isaac. A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, Dec 18, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Msgr. Thomas Reidy, celebrant. Burial will be held in Resurrection Cemetery, St. Louis, on Wednesday, Dec 19th, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held Monday, Dec 17, 2012, in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home from 6-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2833 E. Battlefield, Suite 100, Springfield, MO 65804.