ROBERT C. HENRY

Dec. 20, 1934–Nov. 19, 2024

Robert Henry was born Dec. 20, 1934, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, son of Silas and Roberta (Maple) Henry. He passed away Nov. 19, 2024.

At age 10, the family moved to Sturgis, South Dakota, where he grew up and graduated from high school in 1952. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Black Hills State University in 1959, and Master of Science degree in Natural Sciences in
1964 from New Mexico Highlands University.

His education career began in Sheridan, Wyoming, for three years, then Hayden, Colorado, for a year then Denver, Wyoming, for three years, and finally 21 years at Newcastle High School. He taught physical and biological sciences, and used his commercial pilot certificate to teach  ground school aviation class using his personal aircraft for orientation and cross-country flights.

During summers he worked at Jewel Cave for four seasons and 21 seasons with U.S. Forest Service at Elk Mountain District.

He served three years at Army Security Agency, with two years in Germany, earning the German Occupation Medal.

He worked for the United States Postal Service in Newcastle from 1993-2013.

On Nov. 27, 1959, he married Esther Eggers, a registered nurse at Fort Meade veterans hospital — one of the smartest things he did,
along with quitting smoking back in 1960.

He was a member of the Weston County Airport board for 12 years.

He is survived by his wife, Esther Henry; two sons, Mark Henry and Chris (Huldah) Henry; granddaughters, Hannah, Emma, Chloe Henry; and brother, Richard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Jackie; and sister, Sena Bernice Adams.

He will be buried at Black Hills National Cemetery with no services.