TITLE: Congratulating Robert Richard Fegraeus of Dallas on his 100th birthday.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Robert Richard Fegraeus of Dallas on his 100th birthday.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed member of the Greatest Generation is truly cause for celebration, and Robert Richard Fegraeus of Dallas marked this momentous milestone in his life on April 4, 2021, in the company of family and friends; and WHEREAS, Born in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1921, Bob Fegraeus is the son of Erik and Idaline Fegraeus; he graduated from Central High School and attended what is now the University of Minnesota Duluth; coming of age during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a pilot; he served in the Pacific Theater on the USS Independence (CVL-22) with VFN-41, the "Shademaids"; his squadron is considered the first to fly night missions off aircraft carriers without radar, requiring aviators to read the wake of the carrier and land by the dim light of smudge pots on the deck; and WHEREAS, One of the first Hellcat fighter pilots, Mr. Fegraeus logged over 900 hours in F6Fs, racking up 140 carrier landings, including 40 at night; on one mission, his plane took enemy fire through the wing, less than four feet from the cockpit; he continued to serve following the war, retiring after 22 years in 1964 at the rank of commander; and WHEREAS, Mr. Fegraeus married Doris "Dorrie" Zimmerman in Coronado, California; settling in Dallas, they raised three children, and Mr. Fegraeus worked as a claims manager for Mutual of Omaha; the couple shared a fulfilling relationship until Mrs. Fegraeus's passing in 2010; and WHEREAS, A valued member of his community, Mr. Fegraeus belongs to East Dallas Christian Church, where he is known for his dry wit and coffee-making prowess, as well as his derring-do, although he reportedly gave up skydiving at some point after his 90th birthday; today, he enjoys the love and support of his family, which has grown to include his daughter, Karin Morgan, and her husband, Sonny, his sons, Eric and his wife, Susie, and Kurt and his wife, Susan, and his grandchildren, Jason, Jennifer, Jacob, Kelsey, Jordan, and Kendall, and great-grandchildren, Drew, Ben, and Hannah; and WHEREAS, Over the course of a century, Bob Fegraeus has bravely served his nation and met life's challenges and opportunities with grace and fortitude, earning the deep admiration of all who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Robert Richard Fegraeus on his 100th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Fegraeus as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Neave Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1172 was adopted by the House on May 23, 2021, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House