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  Lieutenant Robert Lester
Rohlfing, (1920-1993) was born in Fisher, Illinois on January 21, 1920. Upon graduation from Fisher
High School in 1936 he enrolled in College at the University of Illinois where he studied
Education. Bob started his teaching career at Seaton High School as the first and
only Vo-Ag teacher. He married Mary Allen in Fisher on June 29, 1941. After teaching two
years he joined the Army Air Corps in June 1942 and was called to pilot training in
November 1942. He attended the following schools:
Preflight –
Santa Ana, CA - Basic – Bakersfield, CA - Primary – Blythe, CA - Advanced –
Marfa, TX - Navigation School – Shreveport, LA
 He received his pilot wings and commission as a
Second Lieutenant from Class 43-H in August 1943. His first assignment was to Navigation
School at Shreveport, Louisiana then to Pensacola, Florida where he earned his gold wings
and pronounced a Naval Aviator. In July 1944 Bob was sent to the South Pacific with the
2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron. Before returning home he was stationed from Australia to
the Philippines. Upon
return to the United States, Bob and Mary moved to Paxton, Illinois in August 1945.
He signed a contract to teach Vocational Agriculture at the Paxton High School. Bob also
served 21 months in service during the Korean conflict after being recalled to active
duty. Bob had a memorable mission in a C-47 on 17 April
1945 [Mission Report] when he and his crew had
to ditch the then brand new airplane in the treacherous waters off Biak
Island. Read his co-pilot,
Warner Britton's story of what happened that fateful night.
 The Rohlfing’s
have four children: Robert Allen, Kenneth Edward, Carol Ann and David Ray. Bob received
his MA degree in 1951 and his Advanced Certificate in 1968. After 35 years of
teaching, he retired in 1975. While at Paxton he had a very active Future Farmers of
America chapter. During this time many students received the State Farmer Degree.
In 1968 Bob was awarded the Honorary State Farmer Degree and in 1972 the Honorary
American Farmer Degree. Following retirement, he was associated with the
Weaver-Niewold-Rohlfing real estate firm for several years. Bob also taught at the
area Parkland Junior College for several years. He served on the County Board for
six years as well as worked in the District Office of Education.
Bob and Mary were
active in the Paxton United Methodist Church and spend their leisure time traveling.
Bob passed away on 22 October 1993 in Paxton, Illinois. His wife, Mary, still
lives in Paxton today.
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