Robert Donnelly

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Biography

Robert Donnelly, born on August 31, 1924, in Lebanon, MO, was the son of Thomas J. Donnelly and Sybil (True) Donnelly.

Growing up in various places including Republic, MO, Coffeyville, KS, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, Robert attended Tulsa Central High School and graduated in 1942. Shortly after, on December 10, 1942, he enlisted in the military and began his active duty on May 8, 1943, at Ft Sill, OK.

During his military service, Robert underwent basic training at Ft Sill before being enrolled in the Army Special Training Program (ASTP) to study Engineering at Ohio State. However, due to manpower shortages, the program was abandoned, and Robert was transferred to the Infantry. He served as a Sergeant in the 405th regiment of the 102nd division, receiving training at Camp Swift before his unit was sent to the European Theater via Ft. Dix, NJ, and Camp Kilmer.

Promoted to Staff Sergeant (SSgt) while overseas, Robert participated in the Battle of the Bulge, playing a role in halting the German advance short of the Meuse River. On February 23, 1945, after crossing the Roer River, he sustained leg and ankle injuries from enemy artillery. Despite his wounds, Robert crawled and rolled back to the river, where a combat engineer found him and arranged for his rescue. After undergoing multiple operations in Paris, he was unable to return to combat before the war ended. Robert was discharged on December 22, 1945.

Returning to Missouri, Robert completed a final semester at the University of Missouri's Columbia campus to gain enough credits to apply to the University of Missouri Law School. Accepted into the program, he graduated with a Law Degree in 1949 and subsequently passed the bar exam in December of the same year.

Commencing his legal career in Greenfield, MO, Robert briefly practiced law before relocating to Springfield in 1951 to represent the Missouri Farmers Association's Mutual Insurance Company. In 1952, he accepted an invitation from his uncle, Phil M. Donnelly, to join his law firm in Lebanon, MO. During this time, Robert, his uncle, and his cousin David formed a successful legal partnership, practicing law across the state of Missouri in county, state, and federal courts. In 1965, Robert was appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court by Governor Warren Hearnes, serving as a judge until his retirement on January 1, 1989.

In January 1946, Robert met Wanda Sue (Susie) Oates, and the couple married on November 16, 1946. Although they did not have biological children, they adopted two boys, Thomas Page Donnelly (born May 20, 1954) and Brian True Donnelly (born April 28, 1957). Robert and Susie resided at 517 S. Madison Street in Lebanon, MO, until they moved to Jefferson City.

Initially settling into a rented house on Forrest Hill in Jefferson City, the Donnelly family experienced several challenges with the property. However, they later built a new house at 5 Hobbes Lane (3459 Hobbes Lane, following a reassignment of house numbers). They resided there until approximately 1987 when they purchased a new construction townhouse at 3112 Williamsburg Way, which became their retirement home. Following Robert's passing, Susie lived there alone until her death on August 8, 2012.

Robert and Susie Donnelly were buried together in a double plot at Riverview Cemetery in Jefferson City, MO.

Sources

1. Robert T. Donnelly "A Whistle in the Night" 125 pages, self-published 1998, printed by Modern Lithoprint Co, Jefferson City, MO. Library of Congress number 98-093737

2. Robert T. Donnelly Death Certification, State of Missouri, State File Number 124-99-015908

3. Wanda Sue Donnelly Death Certification, State of Missouri, State File Number 124-12-021052

4. Marriage Certificate, State of Arkansas, County of Pulaski, stating that Robert T. Donnelly and Wanda Sue Oates were wed on the 16th of November, 1946. Recorded in Book 170, page 604, on the 26th day of November, 1946 -- R. S. Peters, clerk, recorded by M.E. McGrew, deputy clerk.

5. SSgt Robert T. Donnelly Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Honorable Discharge, from Separation Center, Camp Chaffee , AR, 22 Dec 1945. Book 25, page 219

5. Robert True Donnelly Birth Certification, Laclede County, Lebanon township, Regstration District Number 449, File Number 40091

6. Stories and information passed down from Parents to Thomas P. Donnelly

7. Observances and Recollections of Thomas P. Donnelly